Dwarf gouramis are popular additions to many freshwater aquariums because of their brilliant colors and docile nature. Yet, while gouramis are described as resilient fish, they can suffer from dwarf gourami disease due to inbreeding in captivity. In this instance, they rarely make it past one year. To help you raise healthy fish, we delve into the seven care tips for keeping dwarf gourami.
1. Gouramis Thrive in Tanks with Live Plants
The dwarf gourami comes from India, and, as the name suggests, they are one of the smallest species of gourami in the world. They’re recognized for their bright blue and orange colors, which add vivid patterns to your aquarium. Female dwarf gouramis are smaller than the males and lack the brilliant colors of their male counterparts. This small species of gourami has a lifespan of four years, making them a great pet fish for beginners and experienced keepers.
In the wild, gouramis are found in heavily planted freshwater environments. Creating a gourami-friendly tank is easy and requires a good aquarium filter and a few plants to add cover. Gentle water flow is always necessary for circulating oxygen, which your gouramis need!
2. Ideal Tankmates Include Tetras and Loaches
Dwarf gouramis have always been part of my top ten freshwater fish because they’re tranquil and get along with most community fish. These small gouramis spend their time in the top and middle sections of the tank and do their best with peaceful fish and bottom dwellers. Rummy nose tetras, neon tetras, dwarf cichlids, and kuhli loaches are ideal tankmates for dwarf gouramis.
It’s best to steer clear of brightly-colored fish if you have male gouramis. The male dwarf gourami tends to get aggressive around other exotically colored fish of a similar size. Stick to calm species and enjoy a beautiful community tank that won’t stress your gouramis.
3. Dwarf Gourami Can Eat Commercial Fish Flakes
Feeding dwarf gourami is easy because they take to most processed fish flakes and pellets. In the wild, these tiny gouramis will eat small insects, so you can replicate their diet by introducing bloodworm and vegetable tablets. To stimulate the natural habitat of these colorful fish, introduce live worms to the tank. It’s a real treat for gouramis, and you can find these live feeds at most local fish stores. Just be sure to feed worms, including bloodworms, in moderation. I’ve made the mistake of overfeeding bloodworm, which led to constipation in my gourami. Provide bloodworm as a treat twice a week to avoid problems in your tank.
4. Gouramis Need Stable Water Parameters
Speaking from experience, dwarf gouramis need clean water to thrive. They are described as fairly hardy but less-than-ideal water conditions make them prone to aquarium diseases and infections. This freshwater species prefers a pH of between 6 and 7.5, and a temperature range of 75℉ to 80℉.
While gouramis can adapt to different water conditions, it is best to keep water parameters (such as the pH levels and temperature) as stable as possible. Clean the tank once a week or biweekly, and rinse filter media where debris, including excess food, has accumulated. If the leftover food in the fish tank is not cleared, it will increase the ammonia and nitrite levels in the water. Dwarf gouramis are particularly sensitive to ammonia and will become stressed if ammonia increases. Frequent water changes and adding a water conditioner are enough to maintain a happy gourami.
5. Invest in a 20-gallon Aquarium
You’ll read that some people keep their dwarf gouramis in tanks as small as five gallons; however, this is simply not suitable for this fish. Invest in a 20-gallon tank, which will allow your dwarf gouramis to swim freely. Also, a spacious tank reduces stress and prevents your male gourami from becoming aggressive and turning on his tank mates.
Gouramis love plants and places to hide, so be sure to add a few aquatic plants and ornaments to the tank. If the plants grow too long and obstruct the top and mid-sections of the aquarium, trim them to create swimming space for your gouramis.
6. Ensure Clean Water to Prevent Disease
Dwarf gouramis are meant to reach four years of age, but for many aquarists, these pretty fish don’t seem to live past six months. It can be quite frustrating to house dwarf gouramis that simply don’t make it past a year, even with the ideal tank size and conditions.
One of the reasons that mortality rates are so high in these fish is due to dwarf gourami disease (DGD). The viral infection caused by the iridovirus is contagious and results from inbreeding. Most people go from having healthy fish to fatalities with little explanation as to what happened. That’s because the virus strikes with little to no symptoms, and there is no cure.
You can protect your gouramis’ immune systems by ensuring clean water conditions and providing the right diet.
Caring for Dwarf Gouramis – Final Thoughts
The dwarf gourami is one of the most peaceful freshwater fish and keeping them is fairly easy. They’re compatible with calm tank mates such as mollies, small tetras, and loaches, and they don’t need special additions or chemicals to their water. Use a 20-gallon aquarium and perform regular water changes to prevent ammonia buildup.
While dwarf gouramis are meant to live up to four years, most fish don’t make it past six months to a year because of DGD. This infection is incurable and spreads rapidly, which means that all gouramis in the tank are likely to be affected. Still, one thing’s for sure: the dwarf gourami is an attractive and graceful fish that makes an excellent addition to a community tank.
