Dwarf gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Size: 6–9 cm · 8–20 g
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Sociality: Pair
Lifespan: 4–6 years

The dwarf gourami is a brightly colored small gourami of South Asian freshwaters. It can breathe air with a labyrinth organ and pairs in quiet, weedy shallows.

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Key facts

Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is an omnivore animal classified as Fish · Anabantiformes · Osphronemidae.
Primary habitats are freshwater · grassland, with a range across Indomalayan.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is pair, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The dwarf gourami is a brightly colored small gourami of South Asian freshwaters.
It lives in ponds, rice fields, ditches, and grassy freshwater of the Indomalayan region.
Typical lifespan: 4–6 years

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It lives in ponds, rice fields, ditches, and grassy freshwater of the Indomalayan region. Dense plants and weak flow are typical.

Appearance

Length 6-9 cm; weight 8 g-20 g. Males are vivid blue with red-orange striping, while females are usually silvery gray. Threadlike pelvic fins help feel the surroundings.

Behavior

Diurnal, it forms pairs during breeding. The male builds and defends a bubble nest at the surface.

Feeding

An omnivore, it eats small insects, crustaceans, and algae. It readily takes food near the surface.

Reproduction

The male builds a floating bubble nest and gathers eggs into it after spawning. Fry remain near the surface during early development.

Notes

It is listed as Least Concern, though local populations can still be affected by habitat change, collection, or pollution.