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Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Osphronemidae
📍 Bangladesh & Northeast India
The Honey Gourami is one of the most peaceful labyrinth fish in the hobby — males develop a rich golden-honey coloration with an orange-red throat and belly when in breeding condition. At 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) it fits comfortably in nano and small community tanks. Less prone to disease than the Dwarf Gourami and considerably more tolerant of soft, acidic water, making it an excellent alternative for low-tech planted setups.
Care Guide
Diet
Honey Gouramis are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, flake food, and small live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach supports digestive health.
Behavior
Honey Gouramis are among the most peaceful gouramis, displaying calm, deliberate movements and spending time in mid-water zones exploring plants and décor. Males may display subtle color intensification and territorial posturing toward other males, but aggression is minimal compared to other gourami species. They are labyrinth breathers and will occasionally surface to gulp air.
Breeding
Breeding Honey Gouramis in captivity is moderately difficult but achievable with proper conditioning and setup. Males build bubble nests and guard fry; females should be removed after spawning to prevent aggression. Fry require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before graduating to micro pellets.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal community companions
Peaceful algae eater that occupies the bottom zone without competing for resources or space
Small shrimp are generally safe; provide dense plants for shrimp to retreat if needed
Both are gouramis with similar needs, but males may spar; only house one male per tank
Peaceful snail that helps control algae and poses no threat to gouramis
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy upper water column without competing with gouramis
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against décor, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; maintain for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, white or cloudy appearance on fins, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stress, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure tank mates are not nipping fins
Velvet (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching, loss of appetite
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet treatment; quarantine if possible
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy eyes, open sores, swollen belly, torn fins, lethargy
Perform large water changes, improve tank conditions, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication; isolate affected fish if possible
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Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 1 hobbyistCommunity tanks featuring Honey Gourami.
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – micro pellets, flake food, daphnia, brine shrimp
- lifespan
- 4–6 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Very peaceful; one of the least aggressive gourami species
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–18 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)