Family: Osphronemidae
Distribution: Colisa labiosa, better known as Thick-Lipped Gourami, is an Asian freshwater species with its origins in the shady waters of Burma and Indo-China. This species is distributed mainly in the rivers of South Myanmar.
PH: 6.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72 – 82F)
Hardness: 4 – 10 dH
Description: Colisa labiosa can reach a maximum length of around 9 cm in an aquarium environment. Thick-Lipped Gouramis have a body colour that varies greatly, but usually consists of a dark orange-brown back and a dark turquoise belly. It has a thickened fold of skin around its mouth, which is more prominent in males. Females will develop a lovely golden colouration as the age; males also develop this hue but display a brown colouration on their undersides when they are ready to spawn. Colisa labiosa has a long, oval-shaped body and is often confused with Colisa fasciata.
Diet: Colisa labiosa will take the same diet as Colisa fasciata. It accepts a typical diet of fish flakes, pellets and chopped vegetables, but you should also offer it live food in the form of insect larvae and brine shrimp.
Breeding: This species has virtually the same breeding requirements as Colisa fasciata. You should breed a pair of Colisa labiosa in a separate, well-planted 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 fasciata, the male will guard 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. Make sure you use a large tank to accommodate for the huge spawn, which can reach as high as 1500 eggs.
Comments: Colisa fasciata will appreciate a well-sheltered, well-planted tank; provide for their needs by inserting several plants, rocks and roots. A 100 litre tank will allow this species plenty of swimming space. This fish is quite easy to maintain and is definitely suitable for beginners.
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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 20:49:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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