Female Dwarf Gourami full of eggs

[pixie1963]

My female Dwarf Gourami looks full of eggs, but male hasn't built a bubble nest. Do I need live plants in order for him to build the nest and for the female to lay the eggs?

[cdylnicki]

Hi Pixie,

You don't necessarily need live plants.

I would suggest trying a setup similar to betta breeding (as gouramies are anabantids like bettas are).  A small 2.5 gallon with a heater, filled about 1/4 way up, no gravel on the bottom.  You can try a live plant, or even plastic plants that reach the top.  Place in a small sponge filter in one corner, but make sure the pump is not destroying the males bubble nest.  Place the male into the breeding tank first, and the female in a small tank next to him.

Sometimes the male might just me immature and not ready to breed.