Chocolate gourami - care and maintenance in an aquarium

Chocolate gourami takes pride of place among the fish that are in demand among aquarists. Aquatic inhabitants belong to the labyrinth family, they decorate the reservoir and look favorably in the species aquarium. It is interesting that the fish live long enough. If they are provided with all the conditions for a comfortable life, the life of gurus can reach 7 years or more. Fish unpretentious care, does not require high-end food and a large aquarium.

Content

1. Fishes of this group do not start quarrels, they have a relatively peace-loving character. However, if the gourams live with small fry or small fish, they will consider it as food. Members of the family are not in a hurry to swim fast, their movements are measured and smooth. Therefore, other, more active pets can pester the gourami and bite off their fins.
2. It is necessary to acquire a spacious aquarium so that a flock of 6-10 individuals will have at least 60 l. It is important that all pets have enough space.Since gourami like to jump out of water space, cover the tank with a lid. Leave a small gap and do not fill the tank to the brim. Fish can breathe atmospheric oxygen, so they periodically go upstairs.
3. To make pets feel as comfortable as possible, imitate the natural biotope. Choose dark ground, make sure you have bright lights. Lighting is best placed at the top. If it is possible to place the tank near natural light, then use it.
4. Fish will fully acquire a bright color, if they provide a dark-colored ground and proper lighting. Gourami are lovers of dense vegetation, as well as other shelters. Plant the plants on the walls of the aquarium so that the middle part remains intact (for swimming). Additionally, send floating species to the aquarium; the males will build nests.
5. Gourami do not like current sources quickly, so there is no need to install a powerful filter. It is enough to purchase an internal device with a sponge. As a decor, give preference to smooth pebbles, snags, grottoes and pipes.
6. It is important to create all conditions for the fish, in particular, to take care of the temperature regime of water. Watch for indicators so that they do not fall below 23 degrees and do not rise above 27 degrees. Once a week, the replacement of old water in the amount of 1/3. That is, it merges, a prepared new one is added.
7. If you provide all conditions for water pets, they will live up to 7 years. It will also be useful for some busy people to learn that adults of this family can live without food for one week. This is true if you are planning a vacation.

Feeding

1. It is allowed to purchase absolutely any food, but it must be balanced without fail. Fish will always prefer live food to dry or frozen, consider this.
2. Alternatively, you can treat water guests daphnia, moth, pipemaker. It is only important to remember that the representatives of the family have a small mouth. All feeds are crushed in advance.
3. Fish are fed twice a day. In this case, the portions should be small, so that the inhabitants ate them for 3 minutes maximum. When spawning begins, the amount of feed increases, animal products predominate.
4. It is worth remembering that gouram chocolate love to eat and constantly want to do it.Consequently, weight gain and die quickly. So watch how much they eat.

Breeding

1. Few novice aquarists know that gouras do not belong to viviparous individuals. Females, like most fish, spawn in the classic way. Fish reach sexual maturity at the age of about 1 year. Also, do not overlook the fact that there should be 2-3 females per male. It is possible more.
2. Keep in mind that during spawning, it is strongly recommended to use a separate aquarium. For this it will be enough about 30 liters. The problem is that the fry do not survive in the general aquarium, they are simply eaten. It is worth knowing that young animals need a high water temperature. It should be within 28 degrees.
3. Pick suitable individuals for spawning and transplant into a separate aquarium. Feed plenty of fish with live food for 13-15 days. In parallel, in the spawning area should raise the temperature of the water. Thus, spawning is stimulated. Change the water systematically; it should remain clean.
4. In advance place in spawning various small plants.Thus, the male will be much easier to build a nest for the female. In addition, other algae should be present in the aquarium. This is necessary so that the female can hide from the male after spawning.
5. If all the necessary conditions are met, the male will start building the nest. The process comes from the twigs of plants and foam that floats on the surface. After completion of the construction work, the female proceeds to spawn. The male will constantly spin around the nest.
6. Before throwing caviar, you will see that the female has a noticeably rounded belly. This will be evidence that the eggs ripen in the belly. Consider, if fertilization has not occurred, and the female has remained thin, repot it into the general aquarium. It is forbidden to leave with the male. He can beat the female to death.
7. If the female successfully spawns, the male with a great desire begins to care for her. Before that, he lured the female into the nest. After spawning, the male appears aggression. It is for this reason that the female begins to hide in the dense algae. Drop her into a common aquarium. Carefully follow this moment.
8. At one time, the female is able to lay out about 2000 eggs.For the younger generation of gourami it is customary to follow the male. The first fry are born two days later. You are only required to maintain the necessary conditions in the aquarium.
9. Consider, in an aquarium it is important to provide bright lighting. In this case, the water temperature should be within 28 degrees. If the male considers that the conditions in the environment are unfavorable, he will simply destroy all the eggs. With the advent of fry into the world, the male is immediately transplanted into a common aquarium. Otherwise, he will begin to eat the young.
10. Often the fry are fed infusoria. As soon as the young grow up a little, they are allowed to give zooplankton. The fish can reach sexual maturity from 8 months of age. 2 months after the birth, the fry can safely be transplanted into the general aquarium. If you see even very small individuals, leave them for a while in the spawn. They must grow.

Chocolate gourami allowed to start even beginners. Fish do not require special conditions for maintenance. Enough to provide individuals high-quality food. Create favorable conditions in spawning to breed fish without any problems. Watch out for the environment in the aquarium.

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