Colisa lalia - Dwarf gourami

[Dan_G_Calgary]

So, bought 3 females and a male (standard red) a while back, had them in one of my holding tanks till I get a chance to set them up for breeding. Actually got 4 females, but only 2 made it. Well the male would occasionally build a little bubble nest to remind me to set things up... and it looks like they couldn't wait! haha!

Sadly for my BAP program, I only found 3 fry, but omg they are so cute!

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/Grimblyd/Anabantids/Kryptolebiasmarmoratuspanicpics014.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/Grimblyd/Anabantids/Kryptolebiasmarmoratuspanicpics015.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/Grimblyd/Anabantids/Kryptolebiasmarmoratuspanicpics018.jpg

[CACAdmin]

They are really cute. Enjoy. As for the BAP, I'm sure the pair will happily provide you with another opportunity.

[Dandee]

They are adorable. :wink:

[bae3]

Floating plants. All the gouramis I've spawned really prefer floating plants for their nests. I used water sprite.

You're lucky to find female dwarf gouramis. The exporters in SE Asia usually only ship the males, since few people want the plain beige females. At one time they were treating the fish with hormones to get the brilliant color in the males earlier, which sometimes caused sterility, so you're even luckier!

Have another go at it. These fish are fairly easy to spawn but the fry are tiny even for gouramis, so it's not so easy to get them through the first few weeks. After that, they are easy. And as you say, cute!

Did you know that dwarf gouramis will spit water at prey to get it to fall in, like archer fish? Try them on some fruit flies some time. It takes them a while to figure out, but they can do it.

[MDahms]

I never really thought of Gouramis as being fast swimmers until I got my little sparklers, they can really move when they have to. Yours look like they must zip around at a pretty good pace.

So is it 10 fry to qualify for BAP points?

Mike

[Dan_G_Calgary]

Yes Mike. 10 is the minimum for the CAS BAP.

I'll be setting these guys up for spawning when I get back from Phoenix... Hmm. Maybe now when I get back from Ontario, since that trip is in the mix too.

In the meantime, these three little guys have gone back in to the tank they came from.
I'm surprised they made it, but it is a very heavily planted tank. About half full of hornwort and other random plants that have refused to die.

@Bae: Thanks. I can't have another go at it, because I haven't officially had a first go at it! haha! This was an 'unsanctioned' spawning! They just went ahead without my permission!
I willl be settting them up almost identical to how I am doing Bettas on the first go round (probably about May 6-7). If that doesn't work, I'll try a planted tank.
As to getting the females, I got very lucky. Spencer Jack in Winnipeg got some in, and was selling them 3 females, 1 male for $10!!! I snapped it up right away, because you're right - the only time you see them is when they come in as contaminants. He actually sent me 4 females and 1 male, but two of the females didn't make it.

Another thing I might do: If the male builds another nest in the holding tank he is in (community tank), I might scoop the whole thing out, and put it in a small tank and try to raise the fry that way. It is very obvious when he builds a nest in the tank. I'lll try to get a picture of it next time he does.

[vince0]

Nice one Dan! All the recent conversation in regards to bettas and gouramis is giving me the itch to try them out! What size "holding" tank were you keeping them in? I wonder if I'm already set up to breed those guys. Keep us updated on this Dan, I may be interested in getting a trio off you when you get some extras.

[Dan_G_Calgary]

They are in the 20 gallon tank. If you recall my middle rack, with 5 20s on it, over by the North wall? ... nm. I'll find a picture of that rack.

In with them is

spare male Apisto. bitaneatia (sp?)
male featherfin rainbow
2 male peacock gudgeon
bunch of asolene spixi snail

might be some other fish that I don't recall.

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/Grimblyd/Picture012-1.jpg

This is an old picture, but it pretty much still looks just like this. More plants is all. The 5 gallon between the big tanks is where the betta spawning is going on.

[vince0]

In your professional opinion do you think they really need a 20g tank or would a 10/15 be ok for them?

[Dan_G_Calgary]

When i set them up to spawn, it will be in a 5 most likely. If I was keeping them long term, in a species set up, I'd probably suggest at least a 10. But honestly I think you could get by with a pair in a 5. Thye aren't very big.

They're just in the 20 which is a catch all tank. Non aggressive fish go in that tank.

[CACAdmin]

This was an 'unsanctioned' spawning! They just went ahead without my permission!
I don't think they get the idea that permission needs to be granted from the human in the equation. :skeptical: :laugh:

[vince0]

hmmm now im even more interested in keeping these guys. Let me know when/if you got some available.