I was really upset when my Dwarf Gourami died. I did everything I could to make sure he had a happy, healthy home. But why did he still die? I did some research and found out that several things can cause Dwarf Gouramis death.
So if you have a Dwarf Gourami, or are thinking about getting one, read on to find out what you need to know to keep your fish alive and healthy.
Dwarf Gourami
The Dwarf Gourami is a beautifully colored, popular aquarium fish. It is a great beginner fish because it is hardy and undemanding. But even though this peaceful schooling fish has a reputation for being easy-care, there are still some things you should know about keeping Dwarf Gouramis. And one of those things is knowing what can kill Dwarf Gouramis.
Dwarf Gourami Death – Most Common Causes
The most common causes of Dwarf Gouramis death are overcrowding, poor water quality and temperature, and lack of hiding places. Let’s look at each of these in turn:
Overcrowding
How many Dwarf Gouramis can you keep in your aquarium? Many people believe that one inch of fish per gallon is the recommended guideline for both cold water and tropical fish. That would mean a school of 6 Dwarf Gouramis would be the right size for a 20-gallon tank.
But if overstocking is one of the most common causes of Dwarf Gouramis death, why do so many fish stores suggest this stocking ratio?
The answer is that it’s only a general guideline. It works for some people, but there are also plenty of people who have success keeping Dwarf Gouramis in much higher or lower ratios than one inch of fish per gallon.
It really comes down to the temperament of your fish. Dwarf Gouramis are very peaceful, but they can become aggressive if you crowd them or if your aquarium is too small for even their small size. One inch of fish per gallon is just a general guideline that works for some people. But especially with very active, aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs, it’s important to remember that more isn’t always better.
Poor Water Quality and Temperature
Even though Dwarf Gouramis are very hardy and easy-care fish, the main reason they die is because of poor water quality and temperature control.
It can be difficult to keep a school of Dwarf Gouramis in good water quality, especially if you are using an under gravel filter. While this type of filter does work very well for keeping your tank clean, it can be difficult to keep the water flowing smoothly all the way down to the gravel.
This type of situation is where problems usually arise. When there is one spot in the aquarium where the water doesn’t flow well, the fish living near that spot will suffer. This is especially true if your tank temperature is too high or too low for their liking.
Dwarf Gourami death due to poor water quality and temperature control can be prevented by reading up on aquarium basics and testing your tank regularly to make sure everything’s working properly.
Lack of Hiding Places
If your Dwarf Gourami doesn’t have a place to hide, it can become stressed. Or, even worse, it can be bullied by other fish in the tank. Dwarf Gouramis are also very intelligent and need mental as well as physical stimulation to stay healthy. If there isn’t anything for them to do in their tank, they can become bored and even neurotic.
Even though Dwarf Gouramis are hardy fish, they aren’t too tough for their good. If your tank doesn’t have any hiding places, you should get some fake plants or decorations for your aquarium right away.
How to Prevent Dwarf Gourami Death?
The very best way to prevent your Dwarf Gouramis from dying is to keep them healthy in the first place. Here are some things you can do:
- Keep your tank temperature between 76 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Since most tanks fluctuate a few degrees during the day, it’s a good idea to have an aquarium thermometer to make sure your tank stays in this range.
- Keep the pH of your tank between 6.5 and 7.5. Your local pet store can tell you how much it should cost to have your water tested for its pH level, or you might be able to get a free test from another hobbyist. If the pH is too low or high, you can use aquarium-safe chemicals to correct this.
- Keep your tank well stocked with small fish. A school of 6 Dwarf Gouramis will be the right size for a 20-gallon tank.
These three basics – keeping a proper pH level, keeping a proper temperature, and keeping a good population of fish – will go a long way toward keeping your Dwarf Gourami healthy and happy.
Other Ways to Prevent Death
The right-size tank and keeping your water quality high aren’t the only things you can do to prevent Dwarf Gouramis death. Here are some other tips:
- Don’t use an under gravel filter if you have Dwarf Gouramis. You can use mesh filters or other types of filtration instead.
- Don’t overfeed your Dwarf Gouramis, and never feed them live food. Overeating is one way that fish introduce too much protein into their diet, which can lead to other problems down the road.
- If you’re breeding Dwarf Gouramis, make sure you have a good place for the fry to hide.
- Take the time to learn more about proper fish care, including how to test your aquarium water, what types of conditions are best for different types of fish and safe feeding practices. The more you know about how to take care of your fish, the less likely you are to lose them.
There is a lot more information available via the Internet about Dwarf Gourami care and how to prevent death due to poor water quality and temperature control. If you’re experiencing problems with these aspects of your tank, there’s no need for an alarm. Just find out what you can do to get your tank back in order.