One species · 3 varieties
Dwarf gourami
Trichogaster lalius
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3 in
- 7.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Origin
- Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
Pick a variety
One setup covers every line on this page: care is the species' care.
Overview
A peaceful midwater fish that spends a lot of time near the top. Keep one male, or a male with a couple of females, in at least 60 liters, since two males will fight. They do best in warm, calm water with plenty of plants to feel secure. Feed a varied diet of flakes, micro-pellets, and frozen foods, and they will pick at small live foods too.
In the wild
Dwarf gouramis come from slow, plant-choked waters across Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, including rice paddies, ditches, and sluggish streams. These spots are warm, still, and full of cover. Recreate that with dense planting, some floating plants, and calm water with little surface current. They breathe air at the surface, so leave a gap between the water and the lid and avoid strong filter flow.
Good to know
This is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, reaching about 7.5 cm. The labyrinth organ lets it gulp air from the surface to supplement its gills. It is a bubble-nest builder, with the male constructing a floating nest and guarding the eggs. Breeding it is difficult, and the species is known to carry a viral disease, often called dwarf gourami iridovirus, in farmed stock.
Did you know
Dwarf gouramis use their long, thread-like pelvic fins as feelers, touching objects and even tankmates to explore their surroundings. The fins are sensitive to taste and touch, which helps them find food in murky water.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Every variety on this page wants the same water, so one set of picks fits them all. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Fire-tail dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma eremnopyge
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Spotted splash tetra
Copella nattereri
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Gold rabbit snail
Tylomelania gemmifera
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Blueberry tetra
Hyphessobrycon wadai
Freshwater1.7 in (4.2 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Guapore cory
Gastrodermus guapore
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Fanning characin
Pyrrhulina rachoviana
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Dwarf gourami need?
A Dwarf gourami needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Dwarf gourami need?
A Dwarf gourami is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Dwarf gourami get?
An adult Dwarf gourami reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).
Related species
2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Honey gourami
Trichogaster chuna
2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)26 gal (100 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Banded gourami
Trichogaster fasciata
3.5 in (9 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Thick-lipped gourami
Trichogaster labiosa
3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
- 2.9 in (7.3 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Aurigans betta
Betta aurigans
2.9 in (7.3 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)25 gal (95 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Croaking gourami
Trichopsis vittata
2.8 in (7 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Pugnax betta
Betta pugnax
2.8 in (7 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)