Golden gourami - care and maintenance in the aquarium

All aquarists who have at least some experience in this area contain or have kept gourami in their aquarium. Typically, these fish are preferred to start as an addition to other civilians. The whole labyrinth family is distinguished by its peaceful disposition and does not require any frills in content. Water pets belong to centenarians, while providing the necessary conditions they will live up to 7 years. Today we will consider everything that affects the features of care, feeding, breeding, etc.

Description

1. Breeding activities to create the species began in 1970, other gurus took an active part in it. For this reason, it is worth making a conclusion and clarifying that under the natural conditions this species of fish does not inhabit. It is bred artificially, which means it is considered completely aquarium.
2. If we consider the natural biotope, then other members of the family prefer to swim in flooded sources. They love lakes, streams, ponds and various canals. Usually settle in standing or slowly flowing sources, where there is a lot of vegetation. Gourami are omnivores, feed on insects and their larvae.
3. Gold gourami have a body flattened from the side parts, they are elongated in shape, high. The fins are rounded and large enough. Fins in the abdominal region are thin, resemble filaments. With their help, gourams feel the surroundings.
4. Fish can breathe the atmosphere, so it is necessary to fill the aquarium not completely and leave a gap between the lid and the vessel. As a rule, representatives of the family grow up to 12 cm, in some cases they can reach 15 cm. The duration of existence is 5 years, spawning begins by growing up to 8 cm.
5. By the name you can understand that the family was nicknamed just that for a characteristic color. Golden individuals boast the presence of a large number of spots on the body. They are scattered randomly, helping to disguise themselves.
6. Gurams quickly adapt to the environment, can exist in water sources with a low oxygen content. Since all members of the labyrinth family breathe atmospheric air, they quickly adapt. They float up and gasp oxygen.
7. There are many features of this group of fish. So, for example, the male during spawning swims to the surface of the water, wanting to build a nest. It looks like a spawn from many bubbles. Subsequently, you can see future gold gourami there. The female swims up and spawns in a cluster of bubbles.
8. Despite the fact that you can’t meet the golden ebb of fish in nature, except for color, they do not differ in anything from the entire labyrinth family. Ideal for content for beginners who just feel themselves in this field.
9. How to distinguish a female from a male? Identify individuals by gender can be using the dorsal fin. In the male, it is longer and pointed at the end. In the female, on the contrary, the fin is short and rounded with its back.

Content

1. Surely you already understood that these fish are unpretentious, do not require exquisite nutrition and special royal conditions. Representatives of the family prefer to swim in quiet waters, so there is no need to install a powerful filter, leading to the formation of a current.
2. With frequent intervals (about once every 7-10 days), it is necessary to drain 25-30% of the aquarium fluid, pouring new prepared water into it. As for the volume of the tank, 80 liters is enough for a flock of adults. Young growth will fit in a smaller vessel.
3. You should adhere to the temperature indicators of water, so that the gourami feel good.The temperature should not be above or below room temperature by more than 3 degrees. If the room is +25, then the fish should have water within these limits.
4. Take care of filtration, aeration, regular cleaning of the water. Plant vegetation along the edges and walls of the aquarium, and leave the middle section for free swimming and installation of grottoes (snags, stones, etc.). It is important to provide shelter for the fish.
5. In order for the fish to fully find its color, it is necessary to line the soil with a dark shade, and also provide the pets with natural and artificial lighting. It is good if in the morning sunlight will come into the aquarium. Floating plants must definitely find a place. But they do not occupy the entire surface of the water surface so that the fish can swim and gasp for air.

Feeding

1. Golden gourami are omnivores. That is why in aquarium conditions they can be given absolutely any food. Fish will be great to feast on an artificial, frozen or living product. The basis of the diet can be branded cereal.
2. As a treat, fish are recommended to give coronet, bloodworms, artemia and other medium-sized worms. An interesting characteristic feature of such individuals is that gourams can eat hydra and snails without any problems.
3. Everyone knows that snails are intrinsically safe. The same cannot be said about hydras. They are pests. Such individuals have poisonous tentacles with which they catch small fry and fish. For this reason, you should start the gourami. They quickly deal with the hydra in the aquarium.

Compatibility

1. Golden gourami differs not only in color from brothers. The considered individuals have a more belligerent character. Therefore, males of this species often fight with each other and other inhabitants of the aquarium. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended that you keep a pair of heterosexual individuals.
2. Often, the behavior of the gourami can depend on the nature of each individual and the conditions of detention. Some fish can exist peacefully and generally do not touch anyone. Others opposite will bully everyone. Keep in mind that neighbors should be selected with extreme caution. Other individuals should be fairly fast and similar in size.
3. Do not forget that the golden gourami are good hunters. Therefore, their goal is often small fish or fry. These individuals will track prey at the surface of the water. Gourami is recommended to combine with non-predatory and medium-sized fish. They get along well with viviparous individuals and haracin.

Breeding Features

1. Before spawning, during the mating season, gold gourams begin to build a nest. In this way, all representatives of the labyrinth species do. Do not forget that a couple before spawning should be provided with an abundant and high-quality diet.
2. Gourami are recommended to give mainly live or fresh-frozen food. As soon as the female is ready for spawning, this can be seen by her rounded shape. Spawning is recommended to start more than 50 liters. The water level in such an aquarium should be low.
3. For this, only 15 cm is enough. Such indicators can vary, this is not as important as for other species. Try to maintain water parameters as close as possible to a common aquarium. Plants should swim on the spawning surface.

Golden gourami practically do not differ from their relatives. They have a more warlike character and a different color. The rest of the individuals are very similar. Gourami can be made for beginners. The main thing is to comply with all conditions for detention.

Video: golden gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)