Which gourami are small?

[Danny-O]

What are the species and varieties of gourami that are small (2" or so)?

I was window shopping for a dwarf gourami today at the LFS. Of course, there was no dwarf gourami, but there were blue, powder blue, orange, moonlight and a half dozen other varieties. My LFS does not post mature sizes, and I'd want to double check anyway before I buy.

So, which are the small ones? :confused:

[kyazh]

I have a dwarf and a blue, from what I know, the dwarf is probably as small as they come, hence the name "dwarf" but i could be wrong

[mooman]

I'm pretty surre that most, if not all of the "dwarf" varieties are just different color morphs of the same species. If it's a dwarf is should have the word dwarf somewhere in the title. do a google search and study pics of "dwarf gouramis". Forget color and pattern, look at fin and body shape. After awhile you should be able to spot a dwarf variety very easily.

Even the dwarfs get over 2in though. Try this one http://www.fishtanksandponds.net/live-stock/fishprofiles/sparklinggourami.htm They don't look like much in dealer tanks, but are really nice looking fish (for a non-cichlid) if given clean water and good food.

[mduros]

So, which are the small ones? :confused:Honey gouramis or dwarf honey gouramis, they are really gorgeous and gentle fish. Here's a picture of mine.

http://www.maryduros.com/fish/honeygourami.jpg
Take care,
Mary.

[fishman1979]

My opaline is probably about 5+ inches at this moment, the gold is around 4 or so. the 2 kissing are only about 1.5-2, but i have read that they can get about 12. My dwarf in only about 1.35 now, and from what i saw on them they only get to about 2 inches.

[Roan Art]

Dwarfs get to 2" and come in a lot of different colors. IME they are much nicer in color and temperament than three-spots, which I dislike with a passion :D

Roan

[Fish Kate]

:fairy: Dwarf Gourami (Colisa lalia)


Scientific Name: Colisa lalia
Other Names: Powder Blue Gourami, Red Gourami (blood gourami)
red neon dwarf, neon dwarf, golden dwarf, and regular dwarf gouramis.
Family: Belontiidae
Origin: Ganges, Jumna, Bramaputra
Adult Size: 2 inches (5 cm)
Social: Peaceful
Lifespan: 4 years
Tank Level: Top, Mid dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallon
Diet: Omnivore, eats algae
Breeding: Egglayer - bubblenest
Care: Intermediate
pH: 6.0 - 7.5
Hardness: 4-10 dGH
Temperature: 72-82 F (22-28 C)


Description ("Regular" Dwarf Gourami): The common name fits this fish well, as it grows to a size of only two inches. Males are slightly larger than the females and have a bright orange-red body with turquoise blue vertical stripes that extend into the fins. The dorsal fin of the male is pointed in contrast to the rounded dorsal of the female. Females remain a duller silvery blue-gray color, never achieving the brilling colors of the male. Several color hybrids exist, including Blue/Powder Blue), Neon, Rainbow, and Red/Blushing.

Powder Blues are predominately blue with only a little red showing on the body. Neons display a brighter blue pattern than the standard variety. Rainbows have especially brilliant orange-red bodies and blue stripes, in addition to a green-gold metallic sheen. Reds are almost solid red throughout the body, with solid blue dorsal fins. (They can look orange in stressed conditions).

[webbie]

Pearls stay small and are very peacefull, i have 2 of them in the same tank and they are great together.

[kveeti]

This is one I'd like to get, but haven't seen one locally, so far.
Trichopsis pumila (sparkling gourami or pygmy gourami), it only grows to 1-1/2 inches.
Pic at: http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sparkling.php

[PartyAnimal1UK]

I think the dwarf are called Paradise Guromis and had then and they fought really bad, i found the nicest one are Honey. i also had a 3spot and that cleared out most of my tank stay clear

[kveeti]

A paradise fish is macropodus opercularis, it grows to 4 inches. I would compare it to a betta for temperment. The 'gourami' tacked onto it (although widely used) is a misrepresentation IMO.

[brior]

if you want gourami's and your worried about size i'd say either honey gouramis or pygmy gouramis. the honeys show great orange/yellow/black coloring when their 'happy', very gentle fish, and don't grow over the 2 inch mark. the pygmy gouramis (my faavourite gourami) are the smallest, nice red/blue color highlights, and the coolest thing they 'croak' you can actually hear them croaking in the tank from time to time.....anyways, those are my choices, i have both in my tank, and am happy with both of them. :clap: