Gouramis

Gouramis are labyrinth fish that gulp air at the surface and range from the palm-sized honey gourami to giants that need a stock tank. Males can be territorial, so many do best one to a tank or in a large group with plenty of cover. Each profile lists tank size, temperament and the water a species prefers.

Tank size: 5–264 gal; 5 gal (20 L) to 264 gal (1,000 L); half the list needs 20 gal (75 L) or more
Temperature: 72–82°F; 22–28°C, most of the list
pH: 6.0–7.5; Most of the list
Difficulty: 13 easy; 25 medium · 28 difficult
Temperament: 36 peaceful; 23 mostly peaceful · 7 aggressive

66 species and 9 varieties

Types of gourami

Gouramis are labyrinth fish, able to breathe air at the surface, and the family sorts into groups with very different needs. The community gouramis (Trichogaster: dwarf, honey, thick-lipped and banded) stay at 2 to 3.5 inches (5 to 9 cm). The larger Trichopodus gouramis (pearl, three spot, moonlight and snakeskin) run 5 to 10 inches (12 to 25 cm). The croaking gouramis (Trichopsis) are 1.6 to 2.8 inches (4 to 7 cm) and make audible clicks. The licorice gouramis (Parosphromenus) and the chocolate gouramis are blackwater specialists. The paradise fish (Macropodus) take cool water. The kissing gourami and the giant gouramis are the big ones. The African bushfish and the climbing perch are the family's relatives from Africa and Asia and are here because they are kept the same way.

Gouramis for a community tank

The honey gourami is the gentle one: 2 inches (5 cm), 20 gallons (75 liters), marked easy and peaceful, and safe with small tetras and shrimp. The pearl gourami is the best of the larger species, 4.7 inches (12 cm) in 30 gallons (115 liters), easy and peaceful even as a male. The thick-lipped gourami is a hardy 3.5 inch (9 cm) fish for 20 gallons. The dwarf gourami is the one in every shop, 3 inches (7.5 cm) in 15 gallons (60 liters), and it is marked medium for a reason: the trade stock carries a virus that kills fish within months of purchase, so buy from a source you trust and quarantine. For a nano tank the pygmy gourami stays at 1.6 inches (4 cm) and croaks.

One male, or plenty of room

Most male gouramis build bubble nests and defend the water around them. Two male dwarf or three spot gouramis in a 20 gallon fight until one is cornered permanently; keep one male with one or two females, or one gourami per tank. The paradise fish is listed as one male per tank, and the combtail gourami, the climbing perch and the pikeheads are marked aggressive and solitary. The pearl, honey and croaking gouramis are the ones that tolerate a group when the tank has cover. All of them need to reach the surface: floating plants, no strong surface current, and a lid that keeps the air above the water warm.

Licorice and chocolate gouramis are blackwater fish

The licorice gouramis stay between 1 and 1.6 inches (2.4 and 4 cm), list 5 to 10 gallons (20 to 40 liters), and are marked difficult across the board: they want very soft water with a pH in the 4s and 5s, leaf litter, dim light, live or frozen food and no boisterous company. Many are threatened in the wild and are kept by specialist breeders in species tanks. The chocolate gourami is a little easier, marked medium at 2 inches (5 cm) in 17 gallons (65 liters), but it wants heat, 79–88°F (26–31°C), and the same soft acidic water; the crossband, sharpnose and Vaillant's chocolate gouramis are marked difficult.

Cool-water gouramis and the giants

The paradise fish lists 50–72°F (10–22°C) and suits an unheated tank or a summer pond, at 3 inches (8 cm) in 25 gallons (95 liters); the Hong Kong and round-tail paradise fish take similar cool water. At the other end of the list the giant gourami reaches 28 inches (70 cm), lists 125 gallons (475 liters) and lives for decades; the giant red tail and seven-banded giant gouramis reach 20 inches (50 cm) and list 264 gallons (1000 liters). The kissing gourami and the snakeskin gourami both reach 10 inches (25 cm) and are sold as small community fish, which they are not.

By the numbers

Smallest

Largest

Easiest to keep

Most peaceful

Fits a 20 gallon tank

Fits a 30 gallon tank

FAQ

Common questions

What types of gourami are there?

Community gouramis (dwarf, honey, thick-lipped), the larger pearl, three spot, moonlight and snakeskin gouramis, croaking gouramis, licorice and chocolate gouramis, paradise fish, the kissing gourami and the giant gouramis, plus the African bushfish and climbing perch that are kept the same way.

How big do gouramis get?

Honey gourami 2 inches (5 cm), dwarf gourami 3 inches (7.5 cm), pearl gourami 4.7 inches (12 cm), three spot 5 inches (13 cm), kissing and snakeskin gouramis 10 inches (25 cm), giant gourami 28 inches (70 cm).

How long do gouramis live?

Dwarf and honey gouramis around four to six years, pearl and three spot gouramis four to six and sometimes more, and a giant gourami can pass twenty.

Can two gouramis live together?

Two males of the territorial species fight. Keep one male with one or two females, or one gourami per tank. Honey, pearl and croaking gouramis tolerate a group in a planted tank.

What size tank do gouramis need?

15 to 20 gallons (60 to 75 liters) for honey and dwarf gouramis, 30 gallons (115 liters) for pearl and three spot, 5 to 10 gallons (20 to 40 liters) for a pair of licorice gouramis in a species tank, and 125 gallons (475 liters) upward for the giant gourami.

Are gouramis aggressive?

It depends on the species. Honey, pearl, croaking and licorice gouramis are peaceful. Dwarf and three spot males are territorial. Paradise fish, the combtail gourami, the climbing perch and the pikeheads are aggressive.