Blue gourami - Trichogaster trichopterus
Scientific name: Trichogaster trichopterus
Common name: Blue gourami
Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 13 cm (3.94 - 5.12 inch)
Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 8
Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)
0°C 32°F30°C 86°F
Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)
The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning
Where the species comes from: South Asia
Temperament to its own species: peaceful
Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller
Usual place in the tank: Top levels
The Blue Gourami can be found all over South East Asia and also in Indonesia.
Given the correct conditions, the expected lifespan for the Blue Gourami is 5 years.
The Blue Gourami is a stunning fish and ideal for beginners to fish keeping. They are a colour morph of the Three Spot Gourami and display a wonderful colouration that sometimes intensifies during spawning periods. They are classed as a Labyrinth fish as they have the ability to breath in oxygen from the atmosphere due to a special organ that has evolved from their waterways drying out and the water levels dropping dramatically. They are active and will occupy all levels in the aquarium, they will also appear at the water surface so make sure that the room temperature does not drop too much or it can cause damage to their breathing organ.
The Blue Gourami prefers water with little current but the filtration must be rated for the aquarium as they do not tolerate low water quality.As juveniles they are a peaceful species but as they mature they may show aggression to smaller tank mates so always keep them with fish of a similar size.
The Blue Gourami should accept all foods offered as they are classed as omnivorous. Use a quality flake for the staple diet but also give them treats of live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms or white worms. Vegetable matter will also be accepted by offering lettuce, chopped spinach or even chopped cucumber. Feed them small meals once or twice a day and never overfeed even though they may look hungry all the time.
Male Blue Gourami will have an extended dorsal fin which finishes in a pointed edge, the females dorsal fin will be shorter and more rounded.
Like the other Gourami species, the Blue Gourami is a bubble nest builder, the male will build the nest and adding floating plants to the aquarium will aid with this. Once completed the male will display to the female and tempt her towards the nest. If successful the male will wrap himself around the female and spawning will commence with the eggs being deposited in the nest. Once spawning is complete, you must remove the female as the male will become very aggressive towards her and in some cases this aggression can be fatal. All parental duties are now performed by the male, he will guard the nest and eggs and these should hatch in a couple of days. Once hatched the fry now will be seen as a food source by the male so he must also be removed and the fry can be fed on infusoria or newly hatched brine shrimp once free swimming.
Thanks to Jeff Catalina for allowing us to use the pictures.
The below-shown pictures were bought from jjphoto.dk.
The Yellow form
The Cosby form