This is a question that many people have, and the answer is not always clear. In this blog post, we will explore what makes a fish a cold water fish and whether or not dwarf gourami falls into that category.
Cold Water vs. Warm Water
More specifically, there are two types of fish which are commonly referred to as cold water fish and warm water fish. Coldwater fish can survive in colder waters, whereas warm water fish cannot normally do so. However, the temperature range that these terms refer to is fairly broad, with some cold water fish able to be kept in tropical aquariums.
For the most part, much cold water fish are indeed kept in aquariums containing colder water. However, this does not necessarily mean that they can’t be kept in warmer waters. It may simply be more difficult to do so.
What is Considered Cold Water?
This can vary significantly depending on the region of the world you live in and whether or not you are an aquarist. The most common range that cold water fish is identified by is between 39°F to 68°F, but in some regions, this temperature range goes lower.
If you are considering purchasing a cold water fish for your aquarium, be sure to do some research into the specific requirements of that species before making the acquisition.
What is Considered Warm Water?
Warm water fish are generally able to thrive in waters ranging between 74°F to 90°F. However, some species do well in a slightly lower or a higher range of temperatures (provided they are still within the general classification of warm water fish).
There is no hard and fast rule for what constitutes warm water. Generally speaking, you should use this term when describing tropical species which cannot survive in significantly cooler waters.
What Makes a Fish Cold Water Fish?
A cold water fish is a fish that can live and thrive in waters with lower temperatures. Water temperature generally determines the kind of fish you can keep in your aquarium. There are some exceptions, but it’s usually true that cold water fish cannot live in hot waters because they cannot withstand higher temperatures.
Are Dwarf Gourami Cold Water Fish?
Dwarf gourami can live in waters with lower temperatures, but this does not necessarily make them cold water fish. Dwarf gourami are able to tolerate waters where the temperature is around 65°F for short periods of time or even longer if they have access to or create cooler spaces.
This includes things like piles of leaves or rocks that can provide protection from the heat, as well as areas with the higher surface area such as the lily pads and aquatic moss. Dwarf gourami will not do well in high temperatures though, and they should only be kept in climates where the average temperature is below 85°F.
Are Dwarf Gourami Tropical Fish?
Since dwarf gourami is able to live in waters above 85°F (29°C) they are not cold water fish. Dwarf gourami are tropical fish that prefer warm water, and they should never be kept in unheated aquariums or outdoors. Dwarf gourami can only be kept with other tropical fish, and they can usually be kept with other species of gourami.
What Water Temperature Do Dwarf Gourami Need?
Dwarf gourami do best in warm waters where the temperature is below 85°F (29°C). They should only be kept with other tropical species of fish and need a water temperature between 75°F (23°C) and 80°F (27°C).
What Water Temperature Do Dwarf Gourami Spawn In?
When breeding, dwarf gourami prefer warmer waters where the temperature is between 82°F (28°C) and 86°F (30°C). They are not picky about water parameters during this time, but they will need warmer water in order to successfully reproduce.
Dwarf gourami are encouraged by shallow waters with higher surface area and temperatures between 77°F (25°C) and 83°F (28°C). They also prefer low pH levels between 6.0 and 7.5, although they can tolerate a pH level as low as 6.4 for short periods of time.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Dwarf gourami is only compatible with other fish from the Osphronemidae family, and they should not be kept with small fish in unheated aquariums.
Dwarves can usually coexist peacefully in community tanks with fish that get along, but they will not survive in temperatures above 85°F (29°C). If you have dwarf gourami and want to keep other fish in your tank, be sure the water is at the correct temperature for both of them.
Final Verdict:
Are Dwarf Gourami Cold Water Fish? No, dwarf gourami is not cold water fish because they can live in waters that are above 85°F (29°C). Dwarf gouramis need a temperature of at least 75°F (23°C) and their wild ancestors come from Southeast Asia. If you want to keep dwarf gourami in your tank, be sure the water is between 75°F (23°C) and 80°F (27°C).
