6 Most Popular Types Of Dwarf Gouramis For Aquariums

6 Most Popular Types Of Dwarf Gouramis For Aquariums

Red dwarf gourami swimming in an aquarium

Given below are the most popular types of dwarf gouramis:

  • Blue Dwarf Gourami,
  • Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami,
  • Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami,
  • Flame Dwarf Gourami,
  • Honey Dwarf Gourami, and
  • Red Dwarf Gourami.

So, there are six types of dwarf gouramis famous in the aquarium trade.

Types Of Dwarf Gourami Species

Different types of dwarf gourami species are found in the aquarium trade.

Initially, the variety of dwarf gouramis was limited.

However, they later branched out into different colors because of genetic mutations, particularly those that were bred in aquariums.

The following variations are the most popular types of dwarf gouramis.

Blue Dwarf Gouramis

Blue dwarf gourami swimming in an aquarium

The blue dwarf gilthead is one of the most attractive variations of the dwarf gourami species.

Blue dwarf gouramis are bright blue colored and almost iridescent.

They have distinctive reddish-brown stripes running down their sides and fins through their torsos.

They have a light brown edge around their fins.

These fish have prominent scales located close to each other, making them easily recognizable.

Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis

Powder blue dwarf gouramis look beautiful with their electric blue color, red accents, and fins.

They’re a good choice for small aquariums with compatible tankmates.

The powder blue dwarfs are relatively shy and territorial, so they should only be housed with other peaceful fish.

Females are particularly peaceful and the best choice for community tanks.

Neon Blue Dwarf Gouramis

Neon blue dwarf gouramis have beautiful bluish-green color that’s twice as bright and more visually striking than the blue dwarfs.

They also have red stripes running across their body.

The brown stripes found in the pure blue dwarfs and powder blue dwarfs are still there, but they’re not noticeable.

Flame Dwarf Gouramis

Flame dwarf gouramis are a special breed among the popular dwarf gouramis.

These fish get the name because of their color, which looks like an intense flame.

They have a fiery reddish-orange color that fades near the top of the head.

In contrast, the merged dorsal fin has an excellent electric blue color, with a silver color at the tip of the merged anal fin.

Honey Dwarf Gouramis

Honey dwarf gouramis have a modest color among all the other dwarf gouramis.

They have a dark red-orange body with colorless transparent dorsal and caudal fins.

A reasonably common mutation found in this variety is a dark brown stripe running down the middle of their face, from the top of their head to the base of their tail.

Red Dwarf Gouramis

Red dwarf gouramis have colors similar to the flame dwarfs with two distinct variations.

These fish don’t have the blue dorsal fin found on the flame dwarfs.

The overall sharpness of the red color is also much less intense.

The red color is closer to a mixture of orange and brown instead of the reddish-orange found on the flame dwarfs.

Can Different Types Of Dwarf Gouramis Live Together?

Different types of dwarf gouramis can live together. These fish are social and feel secure living in groups with other dwarfs. They’re a popular choice among new fish owners because of their peaceful behavior. They’re also shy, friendly, and don’t harm the other fish in an aquarium.

Generally, one inch of fish needs at least a gallon of freshwater to survive.

Remember that dwarf gouramis can grow up to 3.5 inches long when they’re fully grown.

So for a pair of dwarf gouramis, you will need a 10 to 15-gallon tank.

And you need a 55-gallon tank to accommodate a group of at least eight dwarf gouramis.

Don’t overcrowd the tank as it can stress the dwarf gouramis.

You will also have to add some live plants or rocks to give these fish something to hide.

Some Interesting Facts About Dwarf Gouramis

Dwarf gouramis belong to the Osphro­nemidae family, commonly known as the gourami family.

They’re indigenous to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh but can be found in the United States, Colombia, and Singapore.

In their natural habitat, these fish live in slow-moving waters, such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, creeks, and canals with abundant vegetation.

However, they’re considered labyrinth fish, as they breathe straight from the air.

The lung-like labyrinth organ helps them breathe, but it needs access to the water’s surface to breathe oxygen from the air.

These fish are very popular because they’re easy to care for, and their small size allows them to be kept in small aquariums.

They typically live for about five years, but they can live even longer under suitable conditions.

Dwarf gouramis are schooling fish and prefer to stick together.

They feel more comfortable and secure with each other and mostly occupy the middle or top level of the tank.

Dwarf gouramis are peaceful fish that get along easily with other tankmates.

In case of any confrontations, these timid fish will dart away from other boisterous species.

Scientific NameTrichogatser lalius
OriginIndia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Size2 to 5 inches (Average 3.5 inches)
Minimum Tank Size10 gallons
DietFlakes and pellets containing both vegetable and meat content, and live and frozen food
Water Temperature72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C)
Water pH6 to 8
Water Hardness10 dH to 20 dH
TemperamentPeaceful
TankmatesCompatible with other peaceful species, both fish and invertebrates
Breeding DifficultyModerate

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