Breeding the moonlight gourami
Bubblenester that is not easy to breed. The male builds a loose bubble nest among surface plants; remove the female after spawning and the male once the fry swim freely.
Step by step
Buy 6 juveniles and let a pair form, or add a ripe female to a conditioned male.
200 L or larger planted tank with floating plants, water level lowered to 20 cm, warm and still, no strong filter flow.
Raise the temperature to 28 C, feed live and frozen foods heavily, and do a warm water change.
500-1,000 eggs (up to 2,000 reported); they hatch in 1-2 days and the fry swim freely 2 days later.
Infusoria then newly hatched brine shrimp; fry need warm, still, humid air above the water as the labyrinth organ develops. Remove the female after spawning and the male once fry swim.
- Strong filter flow breaking the nest
- Cool air above the water
- Keeping the male with the female after spawning
Male or female
Males have orange or red pelvic fins (the long feelers); females have yellow ones.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for bubble-nest builders
- 10 days beforeCondition and introduce
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
- Day 0Spawning under the nest
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
- Day 2Eggs hatch
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
- Day 4Free swimming
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
- Day 10Baby brine shrimp
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
- Day 56Separate males
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.