Gourami

In this section of the articles library you will find information about the different Gourami species, except for those that belong to the genus Betta, e.g. the Siamese Fighting fish. Since Betta fish are so popular we have given them their own category here at AC Tropical fish. 

All the Gourami species belong to the family Osphronemidae and are so called Labyrinth fishes; they have a labyrinth shaped organ that allow them absorb oxygen directly from the air. The labyrinth organ is connected to each gill chamber and the Osphronemidae fish will breathe air by swimming up to the surface and “gulp”. Labyrinth organs are an adaptation to a life in poorly aerated waters. Gourami fish are native to Asia and inhabit a region that stretches from India and Pakistan, across the Malay Archipelago and all the way to Korea. Gourami fish are only found in tropical freshwater.

Gouramis are commonly found in community aquariums since they are peaceful creatures that can be kept with each other or together with other docile species. It is advisable to choose tank mates that have roughly the same size. You can keep plenty of Gouramis of the same species, or from different species, in the same aquarium as long as there is room for them to form their own territories. Use plants and/or other aquarium decoration to form natural borders in the aquarium.

One of the Gourami species – Osphronemus goramy – is commonly known as the True Gourami. It can be kept in aquariums, but need a large aquarium since it can reach a maximum size of 60 centimeters (2 feet). If you provide your True Gourami with enough space, good water quality, nutritious food and other suitable living conditions it can survive for 25 years or more. The True Gourami originates from Indonesia, but wild True Gouramican today be found in many other parts of South East Asia, including China, since it as been deliberately introduced.

Since the True Gourami grows so big, it is another Gourami that has become the most commonly kept Gourami among hobby aquarists. The Kissing Gourami – Helostoma temminkii – is found in a lot of beginner aquariums. You should however know that even the Kissing Gourami can grow quite big; up to 25 centimeters (10 inches). If you want to keep a smaller Gourami, you can instead choose the Moonlight Gourami – Trichogaster microlepis. This fish will stop growing when it has reached a size of 15 centimeters (6 inches). The Talking Gourami – Trichopsis vittata – is even smaller; 5 centimeters (2 inches).

Most Gourami species will appreciate a water quality that is neutral or somewhat acidic. Soft water is also recommended and the temperature should be kept in the 24 – 26 degrees C (74 – 79 degrees F) range. Feed your Gouramis a varied diet. Dry prepared foods are a good base if you choose a high quality food that is suitable for Gouramis. This base should be supplemented with live foods such as worms or brine shrimp. Gouramis will also need vegetable or plant material and feeding your Gourami peas or lettuce is therefore a good idea.