Gourami Breeding Habits

Question
We have a Gourami, not sure which kind, it is black and silver striped with black spots. It is in a small  one gallon tank with 2 Rosy Barbs. In the last few days it has developed a huge belly that looks like it is carrying a football sideways. Is this a sign that it is pregnant? Since it is the only one in the tank, what is going to happen to the eggs if this is a pregnancy? Could it have cross bred with the Rosy barb somehow?
These fish have been together for over one year.


Answer
Hi Carol;

I suppose it's possible, but these fish are egglayers so it doesn't need a male to be full of eggs. The eggs are fertilized as they are laid. The chubby fish more likely is having a digestive problem or has a condition known as dropsy. Look at the scales. If the scales protrude or it looks like the fish is filled with fluid, it's dropsy. Here is a link to info about it;

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=128

The fish's description sounds more like a danio to me (also egglayers).
Here is a link to pictures of gouramis;
http://tinyurl.com/ogm44

Here is a link to pictures of danios;
http://tinyurl.com/mjou7

Let me know.......

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins