Breeding the nagy's licorice gourami
Cave spawner. The male holds a small territory around a cave (leaf litter in nature; a small pot, pipe or film canister in the aquarium) and the eggs are stuck to the cave ceiling. Some males build a small bubble nest inside the cave, others do not. The male alone cares for the eggs and fry; the female defends the area outside.
Step by step
A conditioned pair in a small, dim tank with a cave.
10-20 L of soft acidic water (pH 4.5-5.5) with plant cover and half coconut shells.
Very soft acidic water and live foods.
Eggs hatch in about 24-36 hours; fry become mobile 4-6 days later and are fully free-swimming and leave the cave after 3-5 more days, when parental care stops. First foods: Paramecium or rotifers, then Artemia nauplii.
Fry feed on infusoria then newly hatched brine shrimp.
- Hard water
- Active tankmates
- Dry food diet
Male or female
Males have a black band in the dorsal, anal and tail fins edged on both sides by iridescent blue bands, and iridescent emerald-green pelvic fins with a very short filament; breeding males turn reddish-brown above and dark below. Females are much plainer, lack the blue fin bands and turn pale yellowish when breeding.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Hard: for experienced breeders.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for cave spawners
- 21 days beforeSet up caves
Give one cave per pair or female, plus a varied diet.
- Day 0Spawning in the cave
Eggs are laid inside the cave and guarded, usually by the male.
- Day 4Eggs hatch
Eggs hatch in 3–7 days depending on the species and temperature.
- Day 10Fry leave the cave
Feed baby brine shrimp and crushed food. Plecos need wood and vegetables.
- Day 60Grow-out
Fry grow on in their own tank.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Give one cave per pair or female, plus a varied diet.
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.