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Gouramis are labyrinth fish, which means they can breathe air from the surface as well as through their gills. They're colourful, curious and suit calm planted community tanks.
Which gourami to choose
| Species | Size | Minimum tank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey gourami | 4–5cm | 40 litres | The most peaceful and best for beginners |
| Sparkling gourami | 3–4cm | 30 litres | Tiny; "croaks" audibly |
| Dwarf gourami (red, blue, metallic blue) | 5–8cm | 60 litres | Stunning colours; males can squabble |
| Pearl gourami | 10–12cm | 110 litres | Graceful and hardy |
| Licorice gourami | 3–4cm | 30 litres | Specialist; very soft, acidic water |
Water and temperature
- Temperature 24–28°C, held steady with a reliable heater.
- pH 6.0–7.5 for most species.
- Clean, stable water with weekly water changes.
Tank setup
- Floating plants such as Salvinia and Amazon frogbit diffuse light and give males somewhere to build bubble nests.
- Dense planting to break up sight lines. Browse our live plants.
- Gentle flow. Gouramis dislike strong currents.
- A tight lid keeps warm, humid air above the surface, which protects the labyrinth organ.
Feeding
Gouramis are omnivores. Feed a quality flake or micro pellet such as Hikari Micro Pellets daily, plus frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp a few times a week.
Males, females and aggression
Male dwarf gouramis can be territorial with each other and with similar-looking fish. In most community tanks keep one male, or one male with two or three females. Honey gouramis are far more relaxed and can be kept in small groups.
Good tankmates
Corydoras, rasboras, small tetras, bristlenose plecos and peaceful livebearers. Avoid fin-nippers, and don't mix gouramis with bettas, as they are close relatives and often fight.
Health notes
Dwarf gouramis can be prone to bacterial infections and a viral disease (dwarf gourami iridovirus) that has no cure. Buy from a trusted source, quarantine new fish and keep water quality high. Read Setting Up a Quarantine Tank and our guide to common fish diseases.
