Sunset Thicklip Gourami

Overview

• Scientific Name: Trichogaster labiosa
• Common Names: Sunset Thicklip Gourami, Thick-Lipped Gourami, Orange Thicklip Gourami
• Type: A colorful labyrinth fish known for its hardy nature and striking sunset-like coloration. It’s native to the slow-moving waters of Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar.

Appearance

• Body Color: The Sunset Thicklip Gourami features vibrant orange and red hues, especially in males. The body often has a gradient effect, with a deeper orange or red on the head and lighter orange toward the back and tail.
• Size: Grows up to about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in length.
• Fins: Rounded dorsal and anal fins, which are often tinted with the same vibrant sunset hues. The ventral fins are long and thin, used for sensing the environment.
• Lips: As the name suggests, they have thicker lips compared to other gourami species, which are slightly more pronounced.
• Lifespan: Typically lives for 4-6 years in captivity with proper care.

Habitat and Tank Requirements

• Aquarium Size:

  • A minimum of 20 gallons is suitable for a pair or single Sunset Thicklip Gourami. For groups or community setups, a larger tank (30 gallons or more) is recommended.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C).
  • pH: 6.0-7.5.
  • Hardness: 4-15 dGH.
  • Filtration: Gentle filtration with minimal water movement is ideal. They thrive in calm waters, similar to their natural habitat.
  • Substrate: Fine gravel or sand works well, and these fish appreciate heavily planted tanks with hiding spots, floating plants, and subdued lighting.

Diet and Feeding

• Diet Type: Omnivorous.
• Feeding Schedule: Feed 2-3 times daily, providing small portions they can consume within a few minutes.
• Food Options:
  • High-quality flakes or pellets.
  • Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
  • Vegetable-based foods, including blanched peas and spinach or spirulina-based flakes.

Behavior and Temperament

• Social Nature: Peaceful and well-suited for community tanks. Males can become mildly territorial during breeding, but aggression is usually minimal.
• Compatibility: Compatible with other peaceful fish such as tetras, rasboras, and corydoras. Avoid fin-nipping species or aggressive fish that may stress the gourami.
• Activity Level: They are moderately active and tend to explore the middle and upper levels of the tank. They may occasionally come to the surface to breathe using their labyrinth organ.
• Temperament: Generally peaceful and shy. Males may display some territorial behavior during breeding but are otherwise calm and sociable.

Breeding

• Breeding Behavior: Males build bubble nests at the surface of the water to attract females. After spawning, the male tends to the eggs and guards the bubble nest.
• Eggs: Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours, and fry become free-swimming after about 3-5 days.
• Fry Care: After spawning, it's best to remove the female and eventually the male once the fry are free-swimming to avoid aggression. Fry can be fed infusoria or finely powdered fry food.

Health and Care

• Regular Maintenance:

  • Weekly water changes of 20-25% are necessary to maintain water quality.
  • Regularly check water parameters to avoid ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate spikes.

• Common Diseases:

  • Ich (White Spot Disease): Can be treated by raising the temperature and using medications.
  • Fin Rot: Caused by poor water conditions or stress. Improve water quality and use antibacterial treatments.
  • Velvet Disease: A parasitic infection that appears as a fine golden dust on the fish. Treat with copper-based medications or specific treatments for velvet.