Male Or Female Pearl Gouramis?

[BeckyCats]

Here's a pic of the water sprite and a nosy-nelly flame tetra who had to check out what was going on.

I didn't realize there was more than one kind of water sprite.
Let me know if you need to see a different view.

 

[Byron]

I'd classify that plant as Ceratopteris thalictroides based upon the very pinate fronds (leaves) and slender tips.  This species does grow better planted in the substrate, and from the photo your plant seems to be doing well.
 
Byron.

 

[BeckyCats]

Thank you! That's good to know. It is starting to get some of its leaves stuck in the filter tube. I have a fake plant right in front of the tube with the idea that it might help to block the real plants from getting stuck but it is only just so effective. I may need to move the fake plant a little to improve its ability to block the fronds from getting stuck on the intake tube.

 

[DoubleDutch]

Nice plant !!!! Out with fake plants Becky hahaha

 

[BeckyCats]

Ha ha ha!! Actually, (dare I admit it?) I have TWO fake plants! The one seen in the picture above next to the real water sprite (to cover the filter tube) and one by the heater to protect other plants from possibly getting burned.

 

[Byron]

Thank you! That's good to know. It is starting to get some of its leaves stuck in the filter tube. I have a fake plant right in front of the tube with the idea that it might help to block the real plants from getting stuck but it is only just so effective. I may need to move the fake plant a little to improve its ability to block the fronds from getting stuck on the intake tube.

 
What I do in cases like this is find a fairly slender but wide bit of bogwood and stand that in front of the filter stem.  This also works to conceal heaters and filter stems.  A relatively straight bit of wood can replicate a standing tree trunk, something common in tropical forest waters, and it allows circulation but keeps plant leaves out.
 
Byron.

 

[BeckyCats]

That's a good idea. I'll keep my eyes open for a couple of nice pieces of wood. I don't think I want to move the ones I already have.

 

[Byron]

This is the sort of thing I'm thinking of; this happens to be my 29g, but the wood in the rear right corner hides the heater (though a bit is showing, but with the wood it is not anywhere as obvious as it would otherwise be), and the dual sponge filter is in the left rear corner with the standing "tree" in front.

 

[BeckyCats]

Ooo! That IS nice! I'll keep my eyes peeled for nice driftwood while I'm looking for the floating water sprite.

 

[BeckyCats]

So, as an update, at least 2 are definitely male. Long, beautiful fins; pretty, red-orange chins; pushy, bullying behavior. I'm also still wondering about the third. That one is starting to look a bit more fringey around the fins and is getting pushier. Also, it is getting picked on more by the for-sure males all of a sudden. It has a rip in the bottom fin that I assume came from someone nipping. Most of the pushiness occurs around feeding time but overall there is more aggression than there was at first.
 
Does anyone know how old pearls gouramis are before they are fully grown?

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Found a seller on eBay for the water sprite that Byron suggests. I bought some but they are in melted. One plant(out of 4) has a couple of tiny sprouts. But the seller is sending me more. He was really great to work with. I just hope these new ones come in better!

http/www.ebay.com/itm/Broad-Leaf-Water-Sprite-Live-Antler-Fern-Aquarium-Plant-Ceratopteris-cornuta-/222167691144?


Also, water lettuce seems to be doing nicely in my tanks as well. I'm getting runners and the beginnings of root systems starting and it's only been a week! You may try that for floating. They have alot of that on eBay too(most call it dwarf water lettuce). Good luck plant hunting!

 

[BeckyCats]

Hi Cowgirl! Thank you for the contacts. Right now several of my plants are doing very nicely at the top of the water although they are not floating plants. I think it's the wisteria that has gone crazy. Also, there is one that gets pink under the leaves nearest the light. That one keeps growing so tall that it grows sideways along the surface. I cut it, plant the cuttings, and then the cuttings grow to the surface. I moved the water sprite a little and it is doing nicely. It is finally fluffy and full. The gouramis love all the plants, of course. I am just worried about now probably having 3 males in a 55 gallon. I am asking people that I know are responsible pet owners if they have aquariums, but so far, nothing. I hate to bring any of the fish back to the store. Hopefully it all works out.

 

[Byron]

Found a seller on eBay for the water sprite that Byron suggests. I bought some but they are in melted. One plant(out of 4) has a couple of tiny sprouts. But the seller is sending me more.

He was really great to work with. I just hope these new ones come in better!

http/www.ebay.com/itm/Broad-Leaf-Water-Sprite-Live-Antler-Fern-Aquarium-Plant-Ceratopteris-cornuta-/222167691144?


Also, water lettuce seems to be doing nicely in my tanks as well. I'm getting runners and the beginnings of root systems starting and it's only been a week! You may try that for floating. They have alot of that on eBay too(most call it dwarf water lettuce). Good luck plant hunting!

 
Leave the Water Sprite floating in a normal tank (by normal, I mean heated, light, etc) and it should recover.  This is a delicate plant and it does not like changes in the environment, but given time it usually re-establishes.  If you have success with Water Lettuce, your Water Sprite should be fine too.

 

[BeckyCats]

In these pics, you can kind of see the plant growth at the top. Also, one of the squabbles between my beautiful fish.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Found a seller on eBay for the water sprite that Byron suggests. I bought some but they are in melted. One plant(out of 4) has a couple of tiny sprouts. But the seller is sending me more. He was really great to work with. I just hope these new ones come in better!http/www.ebay.com/itm/Broad-Leaf-Water-Sprite-Live-Antler-Fern-Aquarium-Plant-Ceratopteris-cornuta-/222167691144?
Also, water lettuce seems to be doing nicely in my tanks as well. I'm getting runners and the beginnings of root systems starting and it's only been a week! You may try that for floating. They have alot of that on eBay too(most call it dwarf water lettuce). Good luck plant hunting!

 
Leave the Water Sprite floating in a normal tank (by normal, I mean heated, light, etc) and it should recover.  This is a delicate plant and it does not like changes in the environment, but given time it usually re-establishes.  If you have success with Water Lettuce, your Water Sprite should be fine too.

Thanks Byron! The water sprite came in mostly melted. If it had come in green and melted in the tank I wouldn't have worried. hopefully the little sprout will survive and the new ones he is sending will survive shipping this time and begin to thrive once in the tank.