Honey Gourami care guide
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6-7.5. Peaceful top-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is a small, gentle labyrinth fish native to South Asia. Breeding males develop a warm honey-amber to orange colouration with a darker throat. It is regarded as a calmer and more disease-resistant alternative to the Dwarf Gourami.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Trichogaster
- Scientific name: Trichogaster chuna
- Common synonyms: Sunset Gourami
Habitat
Native to India and Bangladesh, where it inhabits slow-moving rivers, lakes and pools with thick aquatic vegetation. The water is soft, poorly mineralised and often acidic.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 4-5 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 4-15 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
An omnivore. A varied diet of micro-pellets, crushed flake and small frozen or live foods (daphnia, baby brine shrimp, microworms) maintains good colour and condition. Occasional vegetable foods are accepted.
Compatibility
A timid, peaceful community fish. Suitable companions include Corydoras, Neon Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Ember Tetra and dwarf shrimp. Avoid mixing with Betta, Tiger Barb or Dwarf Gourami, which can outcompete or stress the species.
Breeding
A bubble-nester. Males build floating bubble nests, often incorporating plant material, and assume sole responsibility for guarding eggs and fry. Eggs hatch after approximately two days and the fry become free-swimming shortly thereafter.
Breeding Honey Gourami
Overview
Trichogaster chuna is a bubble-nesting labyrinth fish that forms temporary pair bonds. The male builds a bubble nest and, after spawning, tends the eggs and nest alone; this is an intermediate breeding project.
Sexing
Females are brownish, noticeably larger, and show a broad brownish midlateral stripe from behind the eye to the caudal peduncle. Non-breeding males look similar but have a slightly orange base color. Nuptial males transform dramatically, turning bright orange on the body and operculum with dark blue to black on the head, lower front body, and anal-fin rays. Ornamental strains may not show these color changes.
Breeding Setup
- Plenty of floating and stem plants with leaves reaching the surface
- Gentle filtration via an air-powered sponge filter
- The tightest-fitting cover available to keep the air above the water warm and humid for labyrinth-organ development
Spawning Behavior
The male builds a bubble nest beneath a broad leaf or in a tank corner, without incorporating plant fragments. Courtship involves the pair touching one another with their modified ventral fins. Spawning occurs in the characteristic osphronemid embrace, the male wrapping around the female as eggs and milt are released together.
Egg & Fry Care
Remove the female once spawning ends; the male tends the nest until the eggs hatch, usually in around 24-36 hours, with fry free-swimming another 24-48 hours later. Remove the male once the fry are free-swimming. First foods are infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week, then brine shrimp nauplii or microworm.
Common Challenges
The fry are very small and very sensitive to changes in water chemistry and temperature, so stable conditions and a tight cover are essential during the early weeks.