Three spot gourami

Care at a glance

Overview

The three spot gourami is a hardy, adaptable fish sold in blue, gold, opaline and other colour forms, all the same species. It can be kept as a pair or small group and generally mixes well, though adult males can turn territorial, so give plenty of space and cover and watch for bullying. It swims in the middle and upper water and feels around with its long, thread-like pelvic fins. Feed a varied diet of flake or pellet, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and some greens. An easy fish for beginners, it does well in a planted tank of around 115 liters or more.

In the wild

Trichopodus trichopterus ranges from southern China across much of Southeast Asia, in slow and still waters such as marshes, swamps, canals and rice paddies, and it moves into flooded areas in the wet season. It is very adaptable, thriving between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius with a pH from 6.0 to 7.5. A planted tank with floating cover, calm water and a soft substrate suits it. Like other labyrinth fish it breathes air at the surface, so keep a warm, humid gap under the lid.

Good to know

A member of the gourami family Osphronemidae, the three spot gourami grows to about 13 centimeters. Its name comes from the two dark spots on the body, one at the middle and one at the tail base, with the eye counted as the third. Males build a bubble nest and guard the brood, and breeding is of moderate difficulty. The many aquarium colour forms, including blue, gold, opaline and lavender, are all selectively bred variants of this single wild species.

Other named lines

The blue, opaline, gold and platinum gouramis in shops are all this species; the eye counts as the third spot.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Moonlight gourami

  Trichopodus microlepis

  5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

• 

  Pearl gourami

  Trichopodus leerii

  4.7 in (12 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)

  4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)

• 

  Snakeskin gourami

  Trichopodus pectoralis

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 61 gal (230 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)61 gal (230 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)

• 

  One-spot betta

  Betta unimaculata

  4.5 in (11.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)

  4.5 in (11.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)

• 

  Antuta betta

  Betta sp. 'Antuta'

  3.9 in (10 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)

  3.9 in (10 cm)26 gal (100 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)

• 

  Frail gourami

  Ctenops nobilis

  3.9 in (10 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)

  3.9 in (10 cm)24 gal (90 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)