The Honey dwarf Gourami Trichogaster chuna (earlier Colisa chuna and Colisa sota) turns into very fairly as soon as it will get settled, making a really nice addition to a smaller aquarium. In this article, I am going to give an overview of honey dwarf gourami size, tank mates, care, breeding, male vs female, turning black, with cherry shrimp, male and female, etc.
Honey Dwarf Gourami Profile
It’s colored in mushy hues of silvery grey to gentle yellow, typically with a really gentle horizontal brown stripe alongside the middle.
The male Honey dwarf Gourami develops a vibrant honey shade when in breeding mode. A powerful contrasting blue-black marking adorns its underside operating throughout the face, throat, and stomach. Additionally, it is generally referred to as the Honey Dwarf Gourami.
When this species was described by Hamilton in 1822, due to the color variations within the sexes, he mistakenly described the female and male as two totally different species.
The male Honey dwarf Gourami referred to as Trichopodus chuna and the feminine Trichopodus sota.
Earlier literature typically used these different names, however at present they’re acknowledged as being only one species.
They’re very carefully associated with the well-known Dwarf Gourami Trichogaster lalius, however are usually not fairly as common.
That is presumably resulting from the truth that when seen in a retail setting, the coloring of each sex is sort of bland. They might even be mistaken for feminine Dwarf Gouramis.
As soon as they develop into acclimated and cozy in their very own setting their really lovely colors start to emerge.
Fast shade modifications relying on their temper and the opposite tankmates are widespread too, and so helps you know the way they’re doing.
In captivity, various shade varieties have been selectively bred in two primary types, re shade morphs, and gold shade morphs.
These are sometimes extra out there to the aquarist than the “true” kind as a result of they preserve their coloration higher, particularly on the retailers.
Quite a few descriptive widespread names are used for these varieties that together with Sundown Gourami, Pink Flame Honey Gourami, Dwarf Hearth Gourami, Pink Robin Gourami, Gold Honey Gourami, Pink Honey Gourami, Pink Hearth Dwarf Gourami, Pink Flame Gourami, Pink Honey Hearth Gourami, Sunburst Gourami, and varied mixtures of those phrases.
Many of those widespread names are used for among the shade morphs of the Dwarf Gourami T. lalius as properly and for hybrids of T. chuna and T. lalius.
When choosing these fish, until the time period “honey” is included within the widespread identity, it helps to know the scientific identity as properly. One of the generally confused varieties are the Flame Dwarf Gourami.
This enticing color-morph of the Dwarf Gourami can look similar to a crimson shade morph of Honey Gourami.
This Honey dwarf Gourami species is a Labyrinth fish and will need to have entry to the floor of the tank so it could breathe.
Labyrinth fish can nonetheless get oxygen by passing water by means of their gills, however, they have an extra respiratory organ referred to as the “labyrinth organ”.
The attribute of all of the Labyrinth fishes, this species is a bubble nest builder as properly.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t use vegetation in its nest because the Dwarf Gourami does, however, will construct the nest below a leaf if out there.
The male will spit water droplets in each brood care and catch prey. Spitting water above the nest bubbles forces the bubbles down into the water the place he can prepare them again within the nest.
Honey Dwarf Gourami fish is pretty simple to take care of and is a sensible choice for the newbie.
They have an awesome urge for food and are usually not in the slightest degree choosy about what meals they’ll eat. These are the smallest members of the Trichogaster genus.
Though on uncommon events they’ll attain as much as about Three inches (Eight cm) in size, Males will often solely attain about 1 half of” (Four cm) and the bigger females will develop not more than 2″ (5 cm).
Being a peaceable fish makes them a great addition to a neighborhood tank however they could be a little timid, particularly if housed with fish that pester them. These fish are very fascinating for a smaller aquarium.
The minimal dimension is 5 gallons for a single fish, however, a pair will want a minimum of a 20-gallon tank.
Remember to present them with a number of plant cowl in order that they have loads of locations to cover.
Ideally, place crops alongside the again of the aquarium, have some floating crops, and go away open areas within the entrance for them to swim.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Osphronemidae
Genus: Trichogaster
Species: chuna
Honey Dwarf Gourami – Quick Aquarium Care
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Size of fish – inches: 3.2 inches (8.00 cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Temperature: 72.0 to 82.0° F (22.2 to 27.8° C)
Honey Dwarf Gourami Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Honey Gourami Trichogaster chuna was first described by Hamilton and Buchanan in 1822.
It’s present in South Asia from Gangetic provinces in addition to from Assam and Manipur in India, and from Nepal and Bangladesh.
Though this is only one species, the female and male have been initially described as two totally different species by Hamilton.
He named the male Trichopodus chuna and the feminine Trichopodus sota. One other widespread identity it’s recognized by is Honey Dwarf Gourami.
A paper by Myers in 1923 resulted in a taxonomic misinterpretation and at the moment the generic identify Colisa was adopted for the small western species of gourami. This interpretation has extra just lately come below evaluation and the taxonomical construction revisited and restructured. The result’s that every one of the species which had been positioned below Colisa has now been modified to Trichogaster as per Topfer and Schindler in 2009, and Tan and Kottelat in 2009.
This species is listed on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern (LC) as it’s widespread and there are not any vital threats throughout its vary.
Just about all these fish out there within the aquarium commerce at present are commercially produced.
It is extremely unlikely that wild-caught specimens can be encountered in the aquarium.
They’re just about a low-altitude species of the tropical Far East. They inhabit rivers and lakes, ponds, ditches, and flooded fields.
Many of those areas expertise seasonal fluctuations because of the annual monsoons between June and October.
These fish usually happen in areas with thick vegetation the place the water is sluggish, mushy, and poorly mineralized.
They’re omnivorous in nature and feed on small invertebrates, bugs, and different zooplankton.
Attention-grabbing conduct, just like that of the Archer Fish Toxotes spp., present in each the Trichopodus and Trichogaster species is that they’ve been noticed catching their prey by squirting water.
They do that by aligning themselves diagonally within the water to observe for prey above.
Then with sudden contractions of their mouth cavity, they’ll squirt drops of water on the prey, knocking it off its perch into the water, the place it’s rapidly snapped up by the fish.
Scientific Name: Trichogaster chuna
Social Grouping: Groups – In nature, this species lives communally with other peaceful species.
IUCN Red List: LC – Least Concern
Honey Dwarf Gourami Description
The body of the Honey dwarf Gourami is considerably compressed and just like that of the Dwarf Gourami, although barely narrower and the dorsal and anal fins are usually not as massive. The ventral fins are threadlike and carry touch-sensitive cells.
This fish has a labyrinth organ, part of the fish which permits it to soak up atmospheric oxygen instantly into the bloodstream.
They’re the smallest member of the Trichogaster genus. Though they’ll attain as much as simply over Three inches (Eight cm) in size.
They’re often smaller within the aquarium. size for the male is 1 half of inches (Four cm) with the marginally bigger females as much as 2 inches (5 cm). They have a median lifespan of 4 – 8 years with correct care.
The essential coloring is a silvery grey to gentle yellow with a light-weight brown horizontal band mid physique.
Female Honey dwarf Gourami retains this coloring whereas males develop extra coloration when in nest constructing and spawning mode.
The edges of the male’s body, the anal and caudal fins, and the posterior portion of the dorsal fin will develop into vivid honey-yellow or reddish-orange.
The dorsal fin will develop into a brighter gold and the face, throat, and stomach will develop into bluish-black.
Quite a few shade varieties have been selectively bred in captivity in two primary types, crimson shade morphs, and gold shade morphs.
Breeders selectively pair specimens with probably the most fascinating traits, thereby strengthening these traits of their offspring.
These varieties are sometimes extra out there to the aquarist than the “true” kind as a result of they preserve their coloration higher, particularly on the retailers.
The attractive Pink Flame Honey Gourami is a spread that appears just like the Honey Gourami however has a vivid blue dorsal fin.
The Honey dwarf Gourami can also be extra orange than crimson and has a darker stomach and dorsal fin.
Measurement of fish – inches: 3.2 inches (8.00 cm) – The Honey Gourami is the smallest member of the Trichogaster genus.
Although in uncommon events they’ll attain about 3″ (Eight cm) in size, males will often attain about 1 half of” (Four cm) and females about 2″ (5 cm).
Lifespan: Four years – Their common lifespan is 4 – Eight years with correct care.
Fish Maintaining Issue
This can be a hardy fish with a peaceable nature and makes a sensible choice for the newbie.
They’re pretty simple to take care of and readily take most commercially ready meals. They like to heat water however are fairly adaptable.
Not being overly delicate to water chemistry situations, they’ll tolerate modifications inside motive. They’re liable to Velvet illness if the tank will not be maintained.
Be very cautious when choosing a specimen as lately there have been various health issues.
These are discovered with dyed, hormone-treated, and virus-carrying gouramis which are commercially bred within the Far East. A quarantine interval is recommended when buying these fish.
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Aquarist Experience Degree: Newbie
Honey Dwarf Gourami Meals and Feeding
The Honey dwarf Gourami is omnivorous, within the wild they feed on small invertebrates, bugs, and different zooplankton.
Within the aquarium, these fish will usually eat all types of stay, recent, and flake meals.
To maintain a great steadiness give them top-quality flake or pellet meals as the bottom to the weight-reduction plan.
Complement this with stay meals similar to white worms, blood worms, brine shrimp, or some other appropriate substitute.
Vegetable tablets may be supplied properly. Usually, feed a few times a day.
Diet Type: Omnivore
Flake Food: Yes
Tablet / Pellet: Yes
Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
Meaty Food: Some of Diet
Feeding Frequency: Daily – Generally feed once or twice a day.
Honey Dwarf Gourami Aquarium Care
These gouramis are hardy fish. Though the labyrinth organ permits the fish to outlive in oxygen-depleted water, it’s a widespread false impression that this makes water modifications pointless.
That is hardly the case as these fish will endure the identical tissue harm from constructed-up toxins as some other fish.
Common water modifications are a should with 25% weekly being advisable.
Water Modifications: Weekly – Weekly water modifications of 25% are advisable.
Honey Dwarf Gourami Aquarium Setup
The Honey Gourami will swim in all elements of the tank, however, particularly likes the center and prime parts of the aquarium.
As small fish, they are often housed in smaller aquariums. However in a bigger tank, there shall be loads of area for crops, the water shall be extra secure, and there shall be room for some tankmates as properly.
A single fish will want a minimum of a 5-gallon tank however a bigger 10-gallon aquarium is advisable. When preserving pair or a bunch, they’ll do greatest with about 20 gallons.
It’s fascinating to maintain the tank in a room with temperature as shut as potential to the tank water, or threat damaging the labyrinth organ.
The tank ought to have an environment-friendly filtration system however ought to not create an excessive amount of a present.
Air stones are additionally advisable for these fish as they like properly oxygenated waters.
These gouramis will present their colors greatest on a darkish substrate.
They get pleasure from an aquarium that’s adorned in a fashion that gives loads of hiding locations for this shy fish to really feel secure and safe.
If the tank is simply too sparsely adorned tank they’ll develop into shy and withdrawn. These fish respect dense vegetation with some floating crops to present some cowl.
Nevertheless, they’ll commonly breathe air on the floor so it’s vital to have some areas unencumbered with crops.
Minimal Tank Measurement: 10 gal (38 L) – A single fish may be saved in as small as 5 gallons however a pair or group will want a bigger tank, with 20 gallons being a great dimension.
Substrate Type: Any
Lighting Needs: Moderate – normal lighting
Temperature: 72.0 to 82.0° F (22.2 to 27.8° C) – Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
Breeding Temperature: 80.0° F – Needs a temperature of 80° F (27° C) for reproduction.
Range ph: 6.0-7.5 – 7.0 for breeding.
Hardness Range: 4 – 15 dGH – About 8° dGH is needed for breeding.
Brackish: No
Water Movement: Weak
Water Region: Middle – These fish will swim primarily in the middle and top portions of the aquarium.
Honey Dwarf Gourami Social Behaviors
The Honey Gouramis are usually good neighborhood fish however they’re timid and slow-moving, so it might take a little bit of time to develop into comfy in an aquarium and are available out of hiding.
As soon as they’re fortunately established the male’s coloring will start to point out. Take nice care when selecting tankmates as very lively or aggressive fish can simply intimidate them and sometimes out-compete them for meals.
They are often saved singly, in pairs, or teams. These are usually not gregarious fish so far as education, however, they do benefit from the firm of their very own variety and can show higher in teams of four to six people.
Nonetheless, inside a bunch, they’ll develop a pecking order of kinds, with the dominant member chasing away the others throughout feeding time or from a selected space within the tank.
When in pairs, the male could develop into belligerent to the feminine.
If saved in a bunch make sure that there are many hiding locations to maintain a number of people from being bullied.
In bigger aquariums they could be saved among the different gouramis, however territorial species similar to many cichlids are greatest prevented.
They do greatest when saved with different peaceable fish. Good tankmates are peaceable cyprinids such because the Harlequin Rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha and lots of the different rasboras, danios, smaller Pethia, and Puntius species.
A few of the peaceable barbs additionally work properly, however, keep away from these which are infamous fin nippers like Tiger Barbs and Clown Barbs.
Smaller loaches just like the Kuhlii Loach Pangio kuhlii and its kinfolk, lots of the Tetras, smaller catfish like Corydoras species and Otocinclus, and smaller Rainbowfish make nice tankmates.
Temperament: Peaceful – Breeding males can be quite belligerent.
Compatible with:
Same species – conspecifics: Yes – In a large, heavily planted tank they can be kept as a pair or in groups of 4-6 individuals.
Peaceful fish (): Safe – These fish are very timid, so make sure to keep with less boisterous fish.
Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
Aggressive (): Threat
Large Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Threat
Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Safe
Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe – not aggressive
Plants: Safe – These fish appreciate a well-planted tank.
Intercourse: Sexual variations
These fish exhibit sexual dimorphism with the male turning into far more colorful when in breeding mode He’ll develop into a vibrant honey shade with a powerful blue-black marking throughout the face, throat, and stomach.
The feminine is bigger than the male, yellowish-brown in shade with a brownish mid-lateral stripe extending from behind the attention to the caudal peduncle, and her coloring doesn’t change. Pairs will usually swim collectively.
Honey Dwarf Gourami Breeding / Reproduction
Breeding the Honey Gourami will not be too tough. Like most fish in this household, it’s a bubble nest builder.
They are often bred in pairs or small teams. It differs from its shut relative to the Dwarf Gourami in that it doesn’t use vegetation in its nest, however will construct the nest below a leaf if out there.
Pairs will even kind a short-lived band and the male is extra tolerant of the female’s hesitancy to spawn, whereas the Dwarf Gourami male could trigger harm to the feminine if there are usually not sufficient locations for her to cover.
It’s best to supply a breeding tank, both a 10 or 20 gallons works positive, and hold the water degree low at about 6 – 8″ (15 – 20 cm).
Water parameters must be about 8° dGH and the temperature between 80 – 84° F (26 – 29° C). Add a small gently air-powered sponge filter or some peat filtration.
They want loads of floating crops and/or stem crops grown to the floor. The nest for this species has comparatively massive bubbles and constructing it below a leaf helps to maintain its security.
If it is constructed on a naked water floor it tends to interrupt up until it’s in a nook. Cover the tank properly to maintain the air above the water heater and humid, to assist stop harm to the labyrinth organ.
A pair or small group will have to be properly conditioned with small choices of stay and frozen meals a number of instances a day.
When properly fed, females ought to start filling out with eggs, showing very plump. Whereas there’s a bubble nest, the male will often present his courting colors.
When he sees a gravid feminine, he’ll swim to her, show diagonally in entrance of the feminine, then swim in the direction of the nest a bit encouraging her to observe. He’ll repeat the airing and swimming till they attain the nest and start to spawn.
As the feminine releases her eggs, about 20 per spawn, the male will instantly fertilize them. The male will choose the eggs up in his mouth and put them in his bubble nest.
The pair will then spawn once more till about 300 eggs are produced. The eggs are saved in place by water spitting.
The male will spit water droplets above the nest bubbles, which forces them down into the water the place he can prepare them again within the nest.
After spawning you’ll be able to take away the feminine because the male will chase her away. He’ll proceed to have a tendency the nest and guard the eggs till they hatch.
The eggs will hatch in about 24 – 36 hours, relying on the temperature, and right now all adults must be eliminated. The fry shall be free swimming and leaving the nest in about three days.
Free swimming fry may be fed infusoria or liquid fry meals till they’re massive sufficient to eat child brine shrimp.
See the outline of breeding methods in Breeding Freshwater Fish: Anabantoids. Additionally, see Fish Meals for Fry for details about sorts of meals for elevating the younger.
Ease of Breeding: Average
Honey dwarf Gourami Health
Honey Gouramis are fairly hardy so illness will not be often an issue in a properly maintained aquarium.
They’re liable to Velvet illness if the tank will not be maintained. It has the looks of a golden or brownish mud over the fins and body and is attributable to the parasite Oodinium pilularis which assaults the fish’s gills, pores and skin, and mouth.
Other illnesses they’re liable to are bacterial infections, constipation, and Gap within the Head if good water high quality, vitamin, and upkeep will not be offered.
In recent times there have been various health issues discovered with dyed, hormone-treated, and virus-carrying gouramis which are commercially bred within the Far East.
So choose specimens fastidiously and a quarantine interval is recommended earlier than including them in a longtime aquarium.
With any additions to a tank similar to new fish, crops, substrates, and decorations there’s a threat of introducing illness.
It is advisable to correctly clear or quarantine something that you really want to add to a longtime tank previous to the introduction, in order to not upset the steadiness.
These fish are resilient however understanding the indicators of sickness, and catching and treating them early makes an enormous distinction.
An outbreak of illness can typically be restricted to only one or just a few fishes when you take care of it at an early stage.
One of the simplest ways to proactively stop illness is to present your fish the right setting and a properly balanced weight-reduction plan.
The nearer to their pure habitat the much less stress the fish may have, making them more healthy and completely satisfied.
A pressured fish will is extra more likely to purchase illness. For details about freshwater fish illnesses and sicknesses, see Aquarium Fish Ailments and Remedies.
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