Black line down the middle of honey gourami?

So I rehomed buttercup which is really sad (gotta come up with a new username) and I want to start nice and simple community tank so today at my lfs I got a little (about an inch) like neon yellow honey gourami with a black line down the middle. Does that mean female? Or stressed? I dont have a pic right now cause Im at work. and I will say he/she was in a small tank (couldn’t tell the size since it was like a small cube) with a Red honey gourami and a bunch of adult and baby mystery snails and no hides or anything.

 

In my experience, the line can show in a subdominant or stressed male; especially a juvenile…but it can also mean female. Females seem to be difficult to come by though.They can be rather shy and timid, especially when first introduced; but if you give him some plants and hides that he can feel comfortable in, he will eventually be out and about most of the time. Mine likes to rest inside hidden in his apontogeton or in a floating “betta” log.

 

In my experience, the line can show in a subdominant or stressed male; especially a juvenile…but it can also mean female. Females seem to be difficult to come by though.They can be rather shy and timid, especially when first introduced; but if you give him some plants and hides that he can feel comfortable in, he will eventually be out and about most of the time. Mine likes to rest inside hidden in his apontogeton or in a floating “betta” log.

Oh the betta log is a good idea! And I think he’s a male cause that’s what the guy at the lfs told me it’s just he’s kind of pale but I think once he gets into my tank with plants and decor he’ll feel comfortable

 

Pic would be best bet when you get a chance, especially after you let it color up a little.

 

I’m acclimating him/her

 

Give it company of its own species

 

That line is normal and will fade or disappear altogether as it matures. You should have at least 1 or 2 more with it.

 

The store only had one other one and it was red does the color matter?

 

The red ones are Trichogaster labiosa, thicklip gouramis, a different species that grows much larger than true honeys.

 

The red ones are Trichogaster labiosa, thicklip gouramis, a different species that grows much larger than true honeys.

I got an electric German blue ram instead lol

 

That's a female and the line is normal. It'll fade on her with time and as she settles/grows.

 

That's a female and the line is normal. It'll fade on her with time and as she settles/grows.

Well that’s cool that she’s a female that means one day I can breed her!