Chanda ranga: Colisa Labiosa

Thursday 26 July 2012

Colisa Labiosa

These fish originate in Burma and Indo-China where they are found in shady waters. They attain a size of 8cms. in the wild. They are very peaceful and can be easily kept with other community type fish. They are not often available in pet stores.
The sunset thick-lipped gourami is a colour morph of the regular thick-lipped gourami. It has the same "gourami" shaped body with the thickened fold of skin about the mouth resulting in a thickened appearance (especially in the males). It also has the ventral fin extensions resembling threads which are where its taste buds are located. It differs primarily in colour. The females become a beautiful golden shade throughout as they mature. The abdomens of the females also become quite deep as well as wide as they fill with eggs. Males also develop the golden hue but turn chocolate brown on their undersides when interested in spawning. The males are slimmer, lacking the large abdomen of the female. They also have a slight depression over the eye.
They tend to be quite shy and appreciate a well planted tank with plenty of sheltered, quiet corners in which to rest. When they relax they show their fins and color. They will accept flake or pelletted foods, but are best conditioned on live foods or frozen brine shrimp. They are quite hardy and tolerate 68-86 degrees F. (ideal is 78 degrees F.) and most water conditions.