Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2"
• Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons   • Water Conditions: 70-79° F, KH 2-15, pH 6.0-7.8
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Southeast Asia, Pakistan, India   • Family: Belontiidae
• Species: Gouramis   • Aquarium Type: Community

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Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) originate from the slow moving streams and tributaries of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and nearby areas of southeast Asia. Their native habitat is one of gentle water currents and dense vegetation along with large volumes of water consistent with river habitats. While most Dwarf Gourami are found in streams and gentle rivers, some do live in nearby lakes as well.

As their name indicates the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami is a smaller version of the standard Gourami, thus they tend to grow to about 2 inches in length or about half of the size of a standard Gourami species. Their brilliant coloration, small size and peaceful demeanor have made the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami a popular species with hobbyists keeping peaceful community aquariums or smaller nano aquarium setups.

Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami require excellent water quality within the aquarium environment that is well filtered and has stable neutral pH & water hardness along with warm stable water temperatures. They do best in small groups where there are a few more females than males. They can also be kept as a single specimen or as a male / female pair. Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami should be kept in a peaceful community aquarium with other smaller community species with peaceful dispositions.

This species will not do well in aquariums with strong direct water currents, boisterous fish species or little to no natural or artificial vegetation or other aquarium decor. One critical aspect of Dwarf Gourami husbandry is that they be housed with peaceful community tank mates. It is most likely that a Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami would allow itself to be bullied to death by a more aggressive fish than to fight back.

An ideal aquarium setup for the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami would have calm well filtered water with plenty of live plants (including floating plants) with stable neutral water parameters and peaceful tank mates.

In nature the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami eats small insects and larvae from near the surface of the water, as well as picking at algae growth on plant leaves. In the home aquarium they will eat flake food, freeze-dried food, frozen foods, and vegetable tablets. However, to maintain good health, their diet should be supplemented with periodic feedings of live or frozen foods such as blood worms, brine shrimp or similar fare.

If a breeding pair is kept in water conditions that will stimulate breeding, they will create bubble nests amongst plant leaves at the surface of the water and engage in a delicate spawning process that lasts up to four hours. After spawning, the female should be removed from the aquarium so that she does not eat the young and / or fight with the male while he protects the nest. The male will care for the eggs, during which time he will be very aggressive towards any fish species approaching the nest.