Bubblenester. The male builds a large nest among floating plants, spits the sinking eggs into it and guards the brood; remove the female after spawning. Keep the tank tightly covered so the fry have warm, humid air for the labyrinth organ.
Put a conditioned pair into a 40-60 L tank with floating plants.
40-60 L planted tank with floating cover, low flow, 28 C and level lowered to 15 cm.
Warm water, live and frozen food, a small water change.
500-1,000 eggs; they hatch in about 24-36 hours and the fry swim freely 2-3 days later.
Infusoria for 3 days, then newly hatched brine shrimp; remove the female after spawning.
One breeding tank for the thick-lipped gourami, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 28 °C · pH 6–7.5
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 10 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the thick-lipped gourami in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 200 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Males are larger and more colourful, and mature males develop slightly pointed dorsal and anal fins. In the gold/sunset strain females are almost as colourful as males.
Typical for bubble-nest builders
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
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.
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.