Do Gourami Fish Get Pregnant? Here's What To Look For

Gourami are a popular choice as freshwater aquarium inhabitants for fish enthusiasts everywhere. There are many different species of gourami, which means there's one out there suited for every fish lover. If you're a proud gourami caretaker, there may come a time when you decide you want more of these cherished fish, and you might make the decision to breed them. Or maybe you suspect one of your current gouramis is already carrying eggs and are wondering what the signs are.

Technically speaking, gourami don't get pregnant, but rather become gravid. Gourami lay eggs to reproduce; when a female fish is gravid, it means she is carrying these eggs and preparing to lay them rather than giving birth to living fry. If you think your gourami fish could be gravid, keep an eye out for certain common behaviors.

If you have a male and female gourami fish in the same tank, there are some signs to look out for that could indicate your female fish is gravid and that egg laying may soon unfold. Similar to when other animal species get pregnant, you may notice your female gourami fish become wider when she is carrying eggs. Along with this change to her physical appearance, you can also watch for signs from the male and female that they are getting ready for egg laying.

When gourami fish lay eggs, they create what is called a bubble nest. If you notice your male gourami seems to be working on building this nest, he could be preparing for the female to lay eggs soon. If you observe your male and female fish intertwined under the bubble nest, it likely means your female is now laying eggs and the male is fertilizing them.

If you decide you want to breed your gourami fish, there are some tank requirements you'll need to adhere to in order to help your them reproduce. The water level in the breeding tank should be around 6 inches deep. When the breeding pair are in the tank, you should take a few days to gradually increase the water temperature until it reaches 82-85 degrees. Make sure the tank you use for breeding has a lid, as the fry will require a temperature-controlled environment. You should also include some floating decor or plants, not only for aesthetic purposes, but because male gourami tend to build their bubble nests connected to these objects.

When you have the breeding tank set up and ready for your male and female gourami pair, you will want to move the female in first to get her used to the tank and look for potential spots to lay eggs. Once she's been acclimated, you can go ahead and add the male in. It will likely take multiple days for the fish to mate, so don't be discouraged if they don't do so right away. Once the eggs are laid, you will need to remove the female from the tank immediately, as she could begin eating the eggs. The male shouldn't be removed at this stage, as he will take care of the fry until they are able to be fully independent.