Honey Gourami

Honey Gourami

Trichogaster chuna

Family: Osphronemidae • Origin: South Asia

The Honey Gourami is a gentle, golden centerpiece fish. Healthier and more peaceful than the dwarf gourami.

Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
2"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
top
Hardness
4-15 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivore

Is Honey Gourami Right for Your Tank?

Honey Gourami is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (2/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 10 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.

With a peaceful temperament, Honey Gourami makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. Expected lifespan: 5 years with proper care.

Common Mistakes with Honey Gourami

Relying on a heater without a thermometer

Honey Gourami needs 7282°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.

Putting them in a tank under 10 gallons

While 10 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (20 gal) is much more forgiving.

Skipping the quarantine period

Even healthy-looking fish can carry parasites or disease. Quarantine new Honey Gourami for 2–4 weeks in a separate tank before adding to your main aquarium.

Care Tips

  • Healthier than dwarf gourami
  • Very shy — needs plants for cover
  • Males turn deep orange when breeding
  • Labyrinth breather — needs surface access
  • Great betta alternative for community tanks

Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms.

Compatibility Notes: Very shy and peaceful. Avoid aggressive tankmates. Better alternative to dwarf gourami (healthier).

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size
10 gallons
Recommended Tank Size
20 gallons
Swimming Level
top

Water Parameters

Temperature
7282°F
pH Range
67.5
Hardness (dGH)
415
Water Type
freshwater

Behavior & Temperament

Temperament
peaceful
Aggression Level
1/5
Schooling
No
Territorial
No
Fin Nipper
No
Predatory
No
Diet Type
omnivore
Growth Rate
slow

Very shy and peaceful. Avoid aggressive tankmates. Better alternative to dwarf gourami (healthier).

Breeding

Breeding Type
bubble nest
Breeding Difficulty
moderate
Lifespan
5 years

Ideal For

10 gallonplanted tankcommunitycenterpiece fish

Compatible Tank Mates

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