Honey Gourami

The honey gourami is one of the best-kept secrets in the freshwater hobby. Smaller, shyer, and more disease-resistant than its popular cousin the dwarf gourami, it rewards patient keepers with spectacular honey-orange coloration in breeding males, gentle community-tank behavior, and an endearing personality. At just 1.5–2 inches long, it is perfectly scaled for a planted nano or community tank of 10 gallons or more.

Taxonomy & Classification

The honey gourami belongs to the family Osphronemidae — the gouramis and related labyrinth fishes. It is a close relative of the dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) but remains significantly smaller, considerably less aggressive, and more tolerant of imperfect water conditions, making it one of the best choices for a beginner's planted nano tank.

Rank	Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Actinopterygii
Order	Anabantiformes
Family	Osphronemidae
Genus	Trichogaster
Species	T. chuna

Natural Habitat

Honey gouramis are native to densely vegetated, slow-moving waters of India and Bangladesh — including weedy ponds, rice paddies, and sluggish streams in the Brahmaputra and Ganges river basins. Like all labyrinth fish, they breathe atmospheric air via a specialized labyrinth organ above their gills.

• Dense surface vegetation: floating plants like water lettuce and frogbit provide cover for bubble-nest building
• Shallow, slow water: typically under 3 feet deep, with minimal current
• Soft to moderately hard water: slightly acidic to neutral pH
• Seasonal variation: habitats flood dramatically during monsoon; fish tolerate wide temperature and pH swings

Water Requirements

Parameter	Wild Preference	Aquarium Range
Temperature	71–82°F (22–28°C)	71–82°F (22–28°C)
pH	6.0–7.5	6.0–7.5
Hardness (GH)	2–10 dGH	3–8 dGH
Ammonia	0 ppm	0 ppm
Nitrite	0 ppm	0 ppm
Nitrate	Near zero	<20 ppm

Tank Setup

A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a pair of honey gouramis; a 20-gallon allows a small group (1 male to 2–3 females). Key setup elements:

• Floating plants: essential for the male to build a bubble nest during breeding and for fish to shelter near the surface
• Dense mid-level planting: Java fern, Anubias, stem plants — honey gouramis are shy and need plant cover to feel secure
• Gentle flow: a sponge filter or spray bar diffuser; strong currents stress labyrinth fish
• Warm temperature: keep temperature stable; avoid cold drafts near the water surface — labyrinth fish breathe surface air and cold surface air can damage the organ
• Low light: subdued or planted-tank lighting reduces stress

Labyrinth Organ & Breathing

Like all gouramis, honey gouramis possess a labyrinth organ — a complex, lung-like chamber above the gill cavity that allows the fish to extract oxygen directly from atmospheric air. This adaptation evolved in oxygen-poor, stagnant waters.

In the aquarium, honey gouramis will regularly swim to the surface to gulp air — this is entirely normal. The labyrinth organ also enables them to survive briefly out of water, which is why they occasionally jump.

Diet & Feeding

Honey gouramis are omnivores with a preference for small, protein-rich foods. In the wild they eat zooplankton, small insects, and algae. In captivity:

• Staple: small pellets or micro-flake formulated for tropical fish
• Frozen food: blood worms, brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops — excellent condition food and essential for breeding
• Live food: micro worms, baby brine shrimp, fruit flies (flightless)
• Vegetables: blanched spinach or zucchini occasionally; some individuals accept spirulina-based food

Compatible Tank Mates

Honey gouramis are among the most peaceful community fish available. Excellent companions include:

• Nano tetras (ember tetra, chili rasbora, neon tetra)
• Corydoras catfish
• Otocinclus
• Cherry shrimp and neocaridina shrimp (adults generally safe)
• Nerite snails and mystery snails
• Other peaceful nano fish

Avoid: Aggressive or nippy fish (tiger barbs, cichlids), larger gouramis (may bully), betta fish (incompatible temperaments).

Common Health Issues

• Velvet — golden dust-like coating; treat with copper-based medication and reduce light
• Ich — white spots; temperature increase to 82°F and appropriate medication
• Bacterial infections — usually linked to poor water quality or stress; maintain clean water and consider antibacterial treatment
• Labyrinth organ infection — caused by breathing cold surface air; maintain warm, humid space above the water line

Related Guides & Species