Opaline Gourami

Trichopodus trichopterus

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii

Variety of Blue Gourami · opaline

📍 Southeast Asia

A color morph of the three-spot gourami featuring a marbled blue-and-white body pattern that replaces the standard silver-blue base, giving it a swirling, opaline appearance. Care is identical to the blue gourami — hardy, labyrinth-breathing, mildly territorial — and it can be kept in community tanks of 20+ gallons with peaceful, similarly-sized tankmates.

Size5"

Min Tank20g

semi-aggressive

Zonetop

Care Guide

Diet

Opaline Gouramis are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake food, small pellets, and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms once daily. Supplement with vegetable matter like blanched spinach or algae wafers 2-3 times weekly to support digestive health and coloration.

Behavior

Active, curious fish that spend time at all water levels despite being labeled top-dwellers. Males are territorial and may display aggression toward other males or similarly-sized fish, especially during breeding season; females are generally more peaceful. They are labyrinth breathers and will surface regularly to gulp air, and they often interact with their environment by investigating plants and décor.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires patience. Males build bubble nests and will guard eggs and fry aggressively; females must be removed after spawning to prevent injury. Fry require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before graduating to micro pellets; expect 100-300 fry per spawn.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Peaceful bottom-dweller that won't compete for space or trigger territorial behavior

excellent

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy mid-water and avoid confrontation with gouramis

good

Rummy Nose Tetra

Peaceful community fish of similar size that prefer open water and won't provoke aggression

good

Honey Gourami

Another gourami species; may compete territorially—only suitable in larger tanks (30+ gallons) with plenty of plants

caution

Common Diseases

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid gill movement, lethargy, rubbing against décor

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform 25% water changes daily, use ich medication (malachite green or formalin) per label instructions; treat for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove sharp décor, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths (1 tsp per gallon for 15 minutes daily)

Labyrinth Organ Infection

Symptoms

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

Treatment

Ensure excellent water quality and aeration; use broad-spectrum antibiotics if bacterial; maintain stable temperature and reduce stress

Velvet Disease

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid gill movement, scratching, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, treat with copper-based medication or salt; blackout tank for 3-5 days to disrupt parasite lifecycle