The photograph on the right shows my own breeding tank. It's surprising the amount of times I've been asked the following questions. What is a breeding tank, and is it needed for breeding Gouramis? The answer is emphatically yes. The breeding tank must meet certain criteria. Firstly having a minimum capacity of 10 imperial gallons this tank is 24x12x12 inches, see tank dimensions.
It must also have a water heater, and a strip-lamp top cover with a glass or clear plastic condensation cover to maintain a moist space between the water surface and the glass/plastic cover, this stops any moisture from entering the strip-lamp electrics, you can see this moisture on the face of my tank. You should use a Sponge Filter which will gentle exchange the water without creating turbulence on the water surface. The sponge filter can be seen at the bottom right hand side of the tank with the adjustable output nozzle just above the water line. If you try to breed Dwarf Gouramis in any tank with a Power Fluval™ filter, or any under-gravel systems the tiny fry will just get sucked in and die, be warned. The gravel in this tank is simply cosmetic with a few handfulls sprinkled on the bottom, taking that horrible silver glared mirror effect from the tank's base glass plate.

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Some breeders put two females in to be covered by one male. I never do this because. (A) One female can issue a good few hundred eggs. (B) The female must be removed from the tank directly after the breeding, this must be done without upsetting the bubble nest which is usually built in the calm corner opposite the sponge filter output flow. (C) If you scatter the nest and fertilised eggs all over the tank when trying to remove the female, the male won't build another one. His job, and his alone is to guard the nest from any potential danger, also in keeping the nest together and any stray eggs therein.

Setting up the breeding tank, water conditions.
Speaking collectively, fish are highly sensitive to sound and vibrations. Gouramis can pick up sudden movement and footsteps from a fair distance, they can be easily spooked and panic in trying to find somewhere to hide. When you're setting up any tank keep it away from direct sunlight, this will help to stop the growth of Algae and fluctuating temperatures. Don't situate it beside a television or vibrating music system speakers. Use the 12 inch square polystyrene insulation foam pads from any aquarist shop, these pads help to baffle footsteps in the room. Use an aquatic background wallpaper on the tank if you have bright lights or flashing Television screens about.

The weight of water is roughly 10 pounds per UK gallon, multiply that by say 9 gallons and you have a combined water/tank weight of around 100 pounds or 45.5 kg, this kind of weight requires a strong solid structured base.
In nature Dwarf Gouramis dwell in water that's on the softish side, but doesn't seem to be critical, and will tolerate water above the neutral. The water should be clean, aged, with an ideal temperature of 26°c - 78°f and a pH value between 6.5 - 7.5

Quick points
Both male and female must be healthy mature adults, disease free, and the female ripe with eggs.
Minimum tank capacity 10 UK Gallons - 45 Litres, see Tank Sizes.
No Power or under gravel filters to be used. The sponge filter was made for this purpose, giving good water-flow Controllability.
Learn how to use the Brine shrimp hatcher kit successfully at every go, as you'll need it.
The female is removed from the tank immediately after breeding, her job is done, sorry ladies.
The male is left in the tank till the fry become free swimmers in about three days, then he's removed also.