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I have two honey gouramis in a 10 gal with three emerald cats and a small angel (they will be moved to a 50g). Lately, my male gourami has been developing some dark patches on his lower face and anal fin. This is no disease, but I think it may be the beggingings of their spawning colors. His caudal fin had also started to have brighter orange coloration. The female was added about three weeks ago, and she seems to lik the male alot. She follows him almost everywhere, and when they meet, they wave their pectoral thingys (is there a name for them?) in eachother's faces, them go about their business. I'm very confused. I thought my cats were spawining a week ago.....it seems like all my fish want to spawn

By "pectoral thingys", do you mean their pelvic feelers? When I see gouramis touch each other with them, it looks to me like a greeting and identification process. I don't think that it has anything to do with spawning; at the very least it isn't limited specifically to the spawning process.

As for the male changing colors, gouramis will change colors when stressed, when settling in to a new tank, and yes, even for spawning time. He may indeed be warming up to the female, and trying to impress her with his colors. Keep an eye on the fish, and watch for any bubblenests. That will let you know that the male fish is serious.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

IMO you'll see the male doing a Bubblenest & that will be start of the spawning process.



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yeah...the pelvic feelers
He hasn't done anything near a bubble nest yet, but his colors do seem to be deepening every day. He may just be showing off for his girly
Thanks!

Last edited by fairynr at 14-Jul-2005 08:53