How Big Do Blue Dwarf Gouramis Get?

Dwarf gouramis are aquarium fish originally from south Asia, specifically nations such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Breeders have developed dwarf gouramis into various color variations, some of which are blue. Neon blue and powder blue are two dwarf gourami variations.

  1. Basic Information

    • Dwarf gouramis in nature tend to live in lakes, streams and tiny brooks, particularly those that are calm and sluggish, with ample plants. They sometimes frequent agricultural sites including rice paddies. Warm and turbid water is a preference for them. Members of family Osphronemidae, dwarf gouramis (Polyacanthus Ialius or Trichogaster lalius) are labyrinth fish, complete with labyrinth organs. This means they are capable of retrieving oxygen straight from the top of the water. Labyrinth organs are a lot like lungs. Numerous other species of "gourami" fish exist, including pearl gouramis (Trichogaster leerii).

    Size of Mature Dwarf Gouramis

    • Mature dwarf gouramis generally grow to around 2 inches long. The "dwarf" component of their name is not misleading -- these guys are seriously small. They are tiny creatures with highly serene and meek dispositions. Because of that, it's crucial for them to live in tanks alongside fish who are around the same size -- and with equally mild personalities. Fierce, sizable fish are a major no-no for dwarf gouramis. Some types of fish that work well with dwarf gouramis are mollies, rainbow fish, guppies, rasboras, danios, platies and loaches. Especially energetic barbs are not well-matched matched to dwarf gouramis.

    Size in Nature

    • Neon and powder blue dwarf gouramis don't exist in the wild, as they are captive creations. Wild individuals do feature some blue in their coloring, however. Wild specimens of dwarf gouramis in general are notably thick and robust in physical appearance. Wild male individuals are capable of growing to a maximum of 2.5 inches in length. Their female counterparts are significantly shorter, usually by roughly a half-inch.

    Youngster Diet for Growth

    • Wee dwarf gourami fry need to eat right to grow and thrive. Insufficient growth in fry generally points to a feeding issue. As youngsters, dwarf gouramis often take in dietary elements such as flake foods, vinegar eels and brine shrimp. Lack of food consumption is often the cause behind dwarf gourami fry passing away prematurely, so take note.