The Honey Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is one of the most beloved fish in the aquarium hobby. It inhabits many swamps and slow-moving waterways throughout India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Like all labyrinth fish, it possesses an air-breathing organ that supplements its gills and allows it to live in aquatic areas that are stagnant and low in oxygen content. Both sexes display typical coloration, but males are generally larger, more colourful and also develop extended dorsal and anal fins with maturity.
The Honey Gourami prefers an aquarium with dense vegetation and plenty of cover, including floating plants. Darker substrate will result in the most vivid coloration for this fish. Slow to moderate water movement is preferred, so turbulent conditions should be avoided. This fish is often peaceful with other fish that do not look similar, but adult males can be territorial with one another and may be relentless in their pursuit of females during breeding. This is much less of an issue in larger aquariums with plenty of cover. While it is possible to keep this fish with most peaceful invertebrates of appropriate size, it might prey on juvenile dwarf shrimp and other invertebrates small enough to be considered prey
The Gourami is not a picky eater and it will accept most dry, frozen, and live foods. However, it should be fed a varied diet to maintain optimal health and coloration.
What We Like About This Fish:
- Bright, elegant coloration
- Generally peaceful disposition with many other species
- An excellent, graceful addition to planted aquariums
- Accepts a variety of dry, frozen, and live foods
- Very adaptable and easy to breed in the home aquarium
- Wild examples are rare in the aquarium hobby with virtually all fish on sale produced commercially for the purpose.
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Fares best in a well-planted, shady set-up with plenty of surface cover in the form of tall stem or floating plants.
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Driftwood can also be used and other plants such as Microsorum or Taxiphyllum spp. can be attached to it. Small clay plant pots, lengths of plastic piping or empty camera film cases can also be included to provide further shelter.
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Temperature: 72° - 82° F (22° - 27° C)
- pH: 6.0 - 7.5
- KH: 2 - 18 dKH
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons for a pair, 55+ gallons for a small group.
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Mostly carnivorous. Not picky, but requires a varied diet of dry, frozen, and live foods for optimal health and coloration.
- Social behaviour: Generally peaceful. Can be kept in groups, but adult males can be very territorial with one another.