| Blue or Three Spot Gourami Information
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Three Spot Gouramis originated from the Southeast Asia area and are also
known as Blue Gouramis, Opaline Gouramis and Gold Gouramis, depending on their
color. They
have a long oval shaped body with a pale blue/white coloring and long
thread-like pelvic fins. There are two large dark spots - one in the
center of the flank and the other at the base of the tail fin. The
eyes are set well forward and give the appearance of a third dark spot,
explaining the name Three Spot Gourami. The Opaline or Crosby variety has
marbled blue patterns with no spots. The Gold Gourami is a solid gold
color with no spots.
Similar to the
Betta and
other anabantids, the Three Spot Gourami is a labyrinth fish, which means it can breathe air directly and will frequent
the top of the tank. Three Spot Gouarmis are a fairly aggressive gourami and will
bother smaller fish, so they aren't a good beginner fish. The tank should be over 50 gallons and well
planted. They prefer thick vegetation and slow moving water. They
will eat live plants. In order to reduce aggression, Three Spot Gouramis should be kept in
groups of 3 - 5 with more females than males. They will eat flake food, algae flakes,
tubifex, and they will
benefit from occasional live brine shrimp.
Males can be distinguished by their larger dorsal fin and yellow/orange in
their anal fin. The males underlying color will become enhanced when
ready to breed and they become extremely territorial. The females lower
body becomes enlarged with eggs. When they are ready to spawn, the male
builds a bubblenest and then dances and wraps around the female. The male
ensures the rising eggs reach the bubblenest. The spawning process can be
repeated several times over a number of hours and thousands of eggs can be
fertilized. The female should be removed after spawning. The male
will guard the nest and young fry. The fry hatch in a couple of
days. The fry should be fed infusoria and then
brine shrimp.

| Scientific Name: |
Trichogaster trichopterus |
| Family: |
Anabantid |
| Temperature: |
22
- 28 C; 72
- 82 F |
| PH |
6.0 - 8.0 |
| Size: |
13 cm;
5 inches |
| Life Span: |
4 - 8 years |
| Breeding: |
Normal,
Bubblenest |
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Compatibility:
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Bala
Sharks, Barbs, Clown Loaches, Corydoras, Danios,
Gouramis, Hatchetfish, Kuhli Loaches, Plecos,
Rainbowfish, Rainbow
Shark, Red Tailed Shark.
Not compatible with Cichlids.
Livebearers may be
compatible. Some barbs and tetras may nip the Gourami's
long pelvic fins.
Comments by Sharon:
The male Blue Gourami will be highly territorial, so it's best to keep only one. He should do well with your other fish, but if you want to add more Blue Gouramis,(assuming your tank is big enough) make sure they're female...
Comments by Henry:
My Blue Gourami harassed my Dwarf Gourami terribly. The tank is only 12 gallons, so I don't know if that is the reason.
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Tropical fish and aquarium information about freshwater species, fish care,
fish facts, compatibility and aquarium maintenance.
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