Dwarf Gourami Breeding Question

[Fish-Addict]

OK so I went to my pet shop to get my free fish because I had a credit note. (The credit note was because I took back an aggressive platy, and I saw him still in the store tank being aggressive towards all the others :headshake2

Of course when I go to buy one fish I end up buying several.
They had male dwarfs as always, but a closer look revealed a few females at the back too! I have never seen females in shops ever. Of course I bought both a male and female. (and a yellow apple snail :evil_lol

Here is my question:
How do I go about breeding them? The male is about 5cm across, and the female only 3cm across. Is the female even old enough to breed?
So I would like some information on breeding them, as this is by first breeding project and I adore these fish.

Thanks for any help.

Here is pics if that hepls in any way although I doubt it will.

The male:


And both the male and female. Notice the size difference.


(About half a second before this picture they were 'kissing'. Would have made a funny pic)

 

[tanker]

1) Feed them well.
2) Need to get temp to 80.
3) Wait for male to be interested and start a nest.

 

[Fish-Addict]

1) Feed them well.
2) Need to get temp to 80.
3) Wait for male to be interested and start a nest.

So do I feed them a lot, or just high quality foods? Or live food?

Thanks for the help

 

[rsanz]

Feed them high quality, meaty foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp).

You should also do a google search to get anecdotal hints about how to breed them. That's your best bet.

 

[jm1212]

condition them with live foods and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, etc.

 

[Wheat]

Float some water sprite in there if you can. They love it and they'll make the nest in there. The fry eat infusoria or liquifry for the first week, after that they'll eat BBS.

 

[jpappy789]

Personally I would condition them separately. The female might not be ready when the male is.

 

[Fish-Addict]

Personally I would condition them separately. The female might not be ready when the male is.

But if conditioned seperately, then how will I know when either is ready? Will the male make a bubblenest when he is ready? How about the female?

 

[McLendon]

Lots of live food lots of floating plant nice thick mat of water sprite is Very good choice. places for female to hide from male a must. Water temp needs to be high 70 low 80 then just give them time. Males are hard on females but tend to stay in one spot of the tank guarding the nest . What you called kissing is Not kissing that is fighting and based on that I would say they are old enough to breed or soon will be. Also cover the tank it keeps the bubble nest from breaking and helps to keep the fry's air supply humid. If you keep condtions right breeding is None stop. I keep about 30 Gourami's in a 120 gl tank with my Oscar. He is fat and happy and I am never short of adult gourami's
Or babys for my big guy to eat

 

[Fish-Addict]

Lots of live food lots of floating plant nice thick mat of water sprite is Very good choice. places for female to hide from male a must. Water temp needs to be high 70 low 80 then just give them time. Males are hard on females but tend to stay in one spot of the tank guarding the nest . What you called kissing is Not kissing that is fighting and based on that I would say they are old enough to breed or soon will be. Also cover the tank it keeps the bubble nest from breaking and helps to keep the fry's air supply humid. If you keep condtions right breeding is None stop. I keep about 30 Gourami's in a 120 gl tank with my Oscar. He is fat and happy and I am never short of adult gourami's
Or babys for my big guy to eat

Thanks you very much for your detailed explanation

About the 'kissing'. It was not fighting, they touched lips and then swam side by side around the tank. There was no aggression.