Moonlight Gourami

Trichopodus microlepis

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Osphronemidae

📍 Cambodia & Thailand

Elegant silver gourami with a subtle moonlit sheen and orange-red ventral fins. One of the most peaceful and graceful labyrinth fish. Works beautifully in a tall, well-planted aquarium.

Size6"

Min Tank30g

peaceful

Zonetop

Care Guide

Diet

Moonlight Gouramis are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food, small pellets, and frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Supplement occasionally with blanched vegetables like zucchini to support digestive health.

Behavior

These are gentle, peaceful fish that spend most of their time in the upper water column, often near the surface. They are relatively shy and prefer densely planted tanks where they can retreat; they may hide during acclimation but become more confident over time. Males can be slightly territorial during breeding season but rarely aggressive toward other species.

Breeding

Breeding Moonlight Gouramis in captivity is moderately difficult and requires patience. Males build bubble nests at the water surface and will guard eggs and fry; provide floating plants and calm conditions with minimal water movement. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before graduating to microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Tank Mates

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Similar size, peaceful temperament, and preference for planted tanks make them ideal companions

excellent

Red Cherry Shrimp

Small, peaceful, and occupy different water zones; provide visual interest without conflict

good

Neon Tetra

Schooling fish that stay mid-water; their small size and peaceful nature complement gouramis well

good

Anubias Barteri

Hardy plant that provides shelter and security; gouramis appreciate the cover for resting

excellent

Dwarf Gourami

Can coexist in larger tanks but may compete during breeding; monitor for territorial behavior

caution

Common Diseases

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform 25% water changes daily, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove any sharp tank decorations, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration and stable parameters

Labyrinth Organ Infection

Symptoms

Difficulty breathing at surface, gasping, swollen gill area, loss of appetite

Treatment

Maintain pristine water conditions with frequent changes, ensure adequate surface agitation for oxygen, use broad-spectrum antibiotics if bacterial; avoid sudden temperature fluctuations

Velvet Disease

Symptoms

Gold or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, rapid breathing, scratching behavior

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use copper-based or formalin treatment; darken the tank as the parasite is light-sensitive; treat for 7-14 days