Pearl Gourami care guide
Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) — minimum tank 120 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 5.5-7.5. Peaceful top-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is a large, calm labyrinth fish covered in pearlescent white spots on a brown background, with a dark lateral line. Males develop an orange-red breast during breeding. It is regarded as one of the most peaceful and long-lived gouramis in the hobby.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Trichopodus
- Scientific name: Trichopodus leerii
- Common synonyms: Lace Gourami, Mosaic Gourami
Habitat
Native to lowland peat swamps and slow-moving forest waters of Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. The waters are typically soft, acidic and shaded by dense overhanging vegetation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L (31.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-12 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
An undemanding omnivore that accepts most prepared foods and will also consume hydra and small aquatic invertebrates. A varied diet of quality pellets or flake supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp keeps the fish in good condition.
Compatibility
A peaceful centerpiece for medium to large planted community tanks. Suitable companions include Corydoras, Harlequin Rasbora, Kuhli Loach and Cherry Barb. Avoid keeping with smaller, more aggressive gouramis (Dwarf Gourami) or with Tiger Barb and Betta, which may stress or harass it.
Breeding
A bubble-nester. Males build large surface nests in floating vegetation and entice females beneath them. Spawnings produce 200-300 eggs which hatch in roughly 20-30 hours. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food before they accept brine shrimp nauplii.
Breeding Pearl Gourami
Overview
Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is a labyrinth fish and bubble-nest builder of intermediate breeding difficulty. The male builds and tends a floating nest, and the species spawns in the typical anabantoid embrace beneath it.
Sexing
Males develop stunning orange or red colouration around the throat area, with extensions to the dorsal and anal fins. Females are blander and plumper.
Conditioning the Breeders
Condition the fish with live food. The male's throat colour brightens at breeding time and is used to court the female.
Breeding Setup
- Shallow water no more than 6-8 inches deep
- Floating plants for nest anchoring
- Gentle air-powered filtration
- Temperature within the species range of 24-28 °C
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male constructs a large bubble nest up to 10 inches in diameter among the floating plants. The pair touch using modified ventral fins, then spawn under the nest in the typical anabantoid embrace. Between 200 and 300 eggs may be produced; they float upwards and the male shepherds them into the nest.
Egg & Fry Care
When no more eggs are produced the female is chased away and should be removed at this point or she may be seriously harmed. The eggs hatch in around 20-30 hours, and the fry become free-swimming in another 4-5 days, at which point the male is removed. Feed infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week, then progress to brine shrimp nauplii, microworm and powdered flake.
Common Challenges
Timing the removal of the female and then the male is critical to avoid aggression and predation. The shallow, warm water and a calm surface help the male maintain the bubble nest, and the very small first-feeding fry require infusoria-grade food.