Family: Osphronemidae
Distribution: Colisa fasciata, better known as Banded Gourami, is an Asian freshwater species distributed in the Asian countries of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and upper Myanmar. It can usually be found in ponds, lakes, large rivers and estuaries; it has an affinity for weedy environments.
PH: 6.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72 – 82F)
Hardness: 4 – 15 dH
Description: Colisa fasciata can reach of maximum length of around 12.5 cm. Male Banded Gouramis have an orange body colour with shiny, blue stripes, a blue-spotted caudal fin and a blue anal fin with red tips; females, in contrast, are less colourful and have a rounded anal fin. Colisa fasciata has a long, oval-shaped body and is often confused with Colisa labiosa.
Diet: Colisa fasciata will take what they can get in an aquarium environment. You can give this species a typical diet of fish flakes, pellets and chopped vegetables, while offering it live food in the form of insect larvae and brine shrimp.
Breeding: You should breed a pair of Colisa fasciata in a separate tank and change the water conditions slightly. Hardness of 2 – 6 dH, a pH of 6.3 – 6.7 and a water temperature of 26°C– 29°C has been proven successful. Like Colisa chuna, the male creates a bubble nest and guards the fertilised eggs until hatching. Remove the female from the tank as soon as the male begins to guard the eggs in his nest. You should then remove the male from the tank after the eggs hatch.
Comments: Colisa fasciata will appreciate a dark substrate and a shallow tank. You should put plants along the edges of your tank and provide shelter in the form of rocks and roots. Make sure your tank is at least 20 gallons in volume to allow this species plenty of swimming space. This fish is quite easy to maintain and, given the only difficulty is in regard to breeding, is suitable for beginners.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-01-05 20:51:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
