The Banded Gourami (Trichogaster fasciata) 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 colorful and also develop extended dorsal and anal fins with maturity.
The Banded 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 is not a very vigorous species. To see it at its best keep it in a quiet, heavily planted tank with plenty of floating plants to provide shade. Add some pieces of driftwood and twisted branches for further cover, and use a dark substrate if possible. Keep water movement to a minimum, as neither fish nor plants will appreciate any strong currents. A tank of around 30″ x 12″ x 12″ (75cm x 30cm x 30cm) – 71 litres is big enough for a pair of these.
The Banded 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
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Temperature: 72° - 82° F (22° - 27° C)
- pH: 6.0 - 7.5
- KH: 2 - 18 dKH
- Minimum tank size: A tank of around 30″ x 12″ x 12″ (75cm x 30cm x 30cm) – 71 litres is big enough for a pair of these
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.