What are these gourami's?

[melissasroja]

Ok so here we have a classic example of someone purchasing fish and not knowing what they are. My friend got these two gourami's. She was told they are female dwarf neon blue's. Problem is she has the regular blue bigger gourami's and they are not getting along at all. So here is my question. I have two male neon blue dwarf gourami's. If hers are truly female dwarf neon's I will take them and put them with my males (very gentle timid males) but I cannot for the life of me tell. The only females Ive ever seen were much larger and blue. They are sort of clearish non-color fish but they do have some neon blue coloration. Im guessing they are young. One is far smaller than the other. They also both have this very blue metalic shiney looking small dot thing by their tail. You can see it in one of the pics. Are they neon blue dwarf female? Or maybe flame dwarf female? Im clueless here but dont want them to be abused by her bigger gourami's so if they can go with mine Ill gladly give them a home. Thanks.

 

[Taysius]

I'm not positive, but from what I have read about female dwarf gouramis, I think these may be it. They are pale in color and have a rounded fin. Females are supposed to be extremely difficult to find so there isn't a lot to compare to. I did a google of female dwarf gouramis and similar looking fish popped up in the search.

 

[melissasroja]

Thanks. They look very close to what I found online as well. I have never seen females in a store not once. She actually got these at Walmart of all places. Funny thing is out local Walmart has a larger varity of what I would call rare or hard to find fish than Petco or Petsmart or even my LFS. I suppose Ill go pick them up and see how they do with my boys. I think they have a better chance than they do with her bigger gourami's that have already bullied them into a breeder net.

 

[melissasroja]

Well I went and picked them up. My two males seem to care less that they are in there. I looked at a few videos of dwarf gourami breeding on youtube first and these sure do look like females to me. Hopefully it will work out! They seemed quite stressed in her tank but are swimming all over in mine making themselves right at home.

 

[Taysius]

If you happen to get some breeding to happen, that would be a great thing for the hobby. Especially since most dwarf gouramis are said to be weak and diseased these days. It would be wonderful to see some healthy home bred specimens.

 

[melissasroja]

Im not sure my other fish in there would allow breeding. I have 2 huge zebra danio (like 4 inches long), 1 small zebra danio, 4 dwarf rainbow fish, 2 cory cats and a pleco. One of my male dwarf gourami's swallowed a dog hair. No idea how it got there since my lids are secure and I rinse my nets constantly. I tried getting it out but it was in there good. I cut it short figuring if hes going to swallow it Id rather it be shorter. Didnt notice it until a little bit ago sticking out of his mouth. Now I see hes sitting at the top of the tank and his belly looks much bigger than the other male but hes a bigger guy in general. Im guessing its a bad sign and hes not going to make it.

 

[H2Ogal]

If those are females, that's fantastic luck! The tank's not great for breeding as you point out ... but if your fish do decide to pair off, perhaps you could set up a separate breeding/fry tank to transfer the adults too temporarily. Just long enough for them to "do the deed" and help the hobby along.

Sorry to hear about your sick male.

 

[melissasroja]

I sent my husband to this Walmart and sure enough the sign says female dwarf gourami. He says they have several more in the tank. So funny to see at a Walmart but this is the same place I got some amazing black and blue swordtails at that I have never seen anywhere else. Sadly they died after a breakout of ich a few months ago. Ive been watching for more though hoping they get some in.

My boy is definitely not feeling great. Im hoping the hair can work its way out and I didnt do any damage trying to pull it out. I googled before I did it and several people said they had luck so I figured give it a shot. Im going to see if he will take some blood worms in a bit. He usually chows them off the end of tweezers. If he doesnt then I know hes really feeling bad.

 

[thatbettaglo]

Female dwarf gourami, in this case the blue variety, lack the color and pointed dorsal fins that the males have. They tend to be silver with some very faint markings that resemble those of their boy counterparts. I would definitly say some ladys.

 

[moonstream]

definitely females. coloration is debatable; they look rather dull to be neon blues. I would agree that they are probably normal blues, and not neon blues. regardless, they look very healthy, and if their stomachs are any indicator, they look like they're eating pretty well!