General Information/Facts

These fish are sold at markets in India and Pakistan as food. Both dried salted and live fish in small bags are for sale.

Diet/Food & Feeding Habits

An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp will provide these fish with the proper nutrition while young.

Compatibility/Tankmates:

These fish are peaceful and sedate and do not bother other tankmates. Although they do not grow quite as large, these fish are less timid than some gouramis and can be mixed with most community fish as well as with small cichlids. Ideal tank mates include: Livebearers, Larger Tetras, Danios, Rasboras, Barbs, Some Loaches, Plecos, and Scavenger Catfish.

Sexing:

Males have more intense colour and a pointed dorsal fin.

Breeding/Spawning:

Same as most gouramis. Lower the waterlevel to 15-20 cm in the same tank, do not transfer the fish to another tank since then they'll get very shy, and won't breed. The male will darken, which will bring out the yellow in the anal fin even better, and will build a very large bubblenest, which can measure 15 cm in diameter, although it's not as solid as for instance C. lalia. Sometimes plants are also used. After mating took place it's best to remove the female since males can be aggressiv. Up to 4000 eggs, but usually less.

Coloration:

Pale to golden yellow with silvery, pale-blue stripes running vertically along its body. The male is by far the most brightly coloured, with a metallic blue sheen over most of the flanks, and red or orange markings on the fins and body. The female has similar markings, but less intense.

Maintenance:

Gouramis, despite their exotic colorations, make caretaking easy. They live quite well on a high quality flake food. If you want to add a treat once in a while, try brine shrimp or blood worms.

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