Samurai Gourami (Sphaerichthys vaillanti)

[Jozle]

Got these guys from a certain person a few weeks back. They're one of the most interesting Gouramis I've ever seen.
Don't have pictures of the colourful females. These are really shy fish and like to hide a lot, females are even shyer. From what I've observed, these fish are great tank mates with shrimps. I have yet to see any of them attack the Sakuras, nor have I noticed a drop in Sakura population (More like a boom in population).
Honestly, their mouths are really tiny, so not shocked that they haven't eaten my shrimps.






Here are the shrimps. They're use to the Gouramis and are pretty open to them.

[armthehomeless]

You need ninja skills to photogragh the female samauri.

[JIM]

Those are very nice fishys, do they not bother the shrimps at all??

[allysangels]

i've been thinking about getting these... i thought they had more color? you say the females are the pretty ones like this?



that is very interesting, i'm used to anabantid species with pretty males and drab females. i think i like these even more if that is the case. would you care to share the name of this awesome person who had them? that is, if there are more available? or do i have to wait until yours spawn?

[Jozle]

@ JIM their mouths are really small. When feeding them, I have to grind their food to small bits.
@Ally Yeah, females are the more colourful ones.

[armthehomeless]

Re: Samurai Gourami (Sphaerichthys vaillanti)

Would you care to share the name of this awesome person who had them?

[allysangels]

yeah... i had a feeling it was you, tim. :)

[Jozle]

Here's another picture I took today. Females are way too shy.......Still trying to take a picture of one of the females.

[armthehomeless]

Re: Samurai Gourami (Sphaerichthys vaillanti)

Female:

[mnemenoi]

i've been thinking about getting these... i thought they had more color? you say the females are the pretty ones like this?



that is very interesting, i'm used to anabantid species with pretty males and drab females. i think i like these even more if that is the case. would you care to share the name of this awesome person who had them? that is, if there are more available? or do i have to wait until yours spawn?

They share many qualities with some of the wild caught bettas and chocolate gourami. They are very soft water and very low Ph. They have a tendency to wash out when in higher Ph/TDS water. They are listed as 3.5-6.5 Ph and TDS of 51 ppm or under. I can say I noticed a dramitic increase in our chili rasboras colors when in a riduculously low Ph/TDS tank.

[allysangels]

gorgeous fish...