Normal flake food and blackworms/brine shrimp is recommended.
Compatibility/Tankmates:
A hardy, peaceful species recommended for the beginner's community tank. Males are relatively nonaggressive even at spawning times. Do well with Barbs, Danios, Tetras, Corydoras, Angelfish, Loaches, Gouramis, Loricarids.
Sexing:
The dorsal fins of male fish are pointed and the pelvic fins are orange to red.
Breeding/Spawning:
Like most fish in this family, these fish are bubble nest builders. Their eggs as well as the fry, are lighter than water and float to the top. See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish. These are moderately easy to spawn but the fry are so small that they are difficult to feed.
Coloration/Fins:
The back is olive and the flanks are greenish gray with a silver iridescence. An obvious black band extends from the snout, through the eye, and to the caudal penuncle. The underparts are white. The rear part of the body may be marked with faint transverse stripes. The fins are also gray-green, and the iris of the eye may be amber under favorable water conditions.
Andrews, C. 1986 A Fishkeeper's Guide to Fish Breeding. Salamander, London. 117 pp., color illus.
Boggs, Sallie S. 1981. Mouthbrooding Bettas (Betta pugnans, B. picta, B. taeniata, B. brederi). FAMA 9/81.
Lucas, Gene A. 1987. Betta pugnax: Observations on a large mouthbrooding Betta. FAMA 3/87.
Mills, D. 1984 A Fishkeeper's Guide to Community Fishes. Tetra Press, Morris Plains, NJ. 117 pp., some color.
Pinter, H. 1986 Labyrinth Fish. Barron's, Woodbury, NY. 144 pp., some color illus.
Richter, Hans-Joachim 1988 Gouramis and Other Anabantoids. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 224 pp.er,
Vierke, J. 1986 Vierke's Aquarium Book. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 352 pp.
Vierke, J. 1988 Bettas, Gouramis and Other Anabantoids: Labyrinth Fishes of the World. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 192 pp., color illus.
Follow the above recommendations and you should have a joyful Gouramis experience. Send any questions, comments or pictures to Ask An Expert If you are interested in helping out visit our contributions page.
References/Further Reading
Andrews, C. 1986 A Fishkeeper's Guide to Fish Breeding. Salamander, London. 117 pp., color illus.
Boggs, Sallie S. 1981. Mouthbrooding Bettas (Betta pugnans, B. picta, B. taeniata, B. brederi). FAMA 9/81.
Lucas, Gene A. 1987. Betta pugnax: Observations on a large mouthbrooding Betta. FAMA 3/87.
Mills, D. 1984 A Fishkeeper's Guide to Community Fishes. Tetra Press, Morris Plains, NJ. 117 pp., some color.
Pinter, H. 1986 Labyrinth Fish. Barron's, Woodbury, NY. 144 pp., some color illus.
Richter, Hans-Joachim 1988 Gouramis and Other Anabantoids. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 224 pp.er,
Vierke, J. 1986 Vierke's Aquarium Book. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 352 pp.
Vierke, J. 1988 Bettas, Gouramis and Other Anabantoids: Labyrinth Fishes of the World. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 192 pp., color illus.
