Fish guide
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Honey Gourami
Quick Reference
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate. True honey gouramis are adaptable but can be shy and need warm, stable water, gentle flow, dense plant cover, peaceful tank mates, and careful feeding.
- Adult Size
- Usually 2-2.5 inches (5-6.5 cm); females may be slightly larger and deeper-bodied.
- Minimum Tank
- 15 gallons for one; 20 gallons or larger is preferred for a pair, small group, or community aquarium.
- Temperature
- 75-82°F (24-28°C); approximately 77-80°F (25-27°C) is a practical target.
- pH
- 6.0-7.5; slightly acidic to neutral is preferred.
- GH
- 2-12 dGH; soft to moderately hard water
- KH
- 1-8 dKH; maintain stable buffering and avoid abrupt pH changes.
- Temperament
- Peaceful and timid; males become mildly territorial when displaying or breeding
- Diet
- Omnivorous insectivore and micropredator
- Swimming Level
- Primarily middle and upper levels
- Social Type
- Solitary, paired, or loosely social depending on sex, tank size, and individual temperament
- Minimum Group
- One can live alone. For multiple honey gouramis, use a spacious, heavily planted tank; a trio of one male and two females can spread courtship pressure better than a confined pair.
- Community Safe
- Yes, with calm, peaceful tank mates
- Plant Safe
- Yes
Key Takeaways
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate. True honey gouramis are adaptable but can be shy and need warm, stable water, gentle flow, dense plant cover, peaceful tank mates, and careful feeding.
- Minimum tank size: 15 gallons for one; 20 gallons or larger is preferred for a pair, small group, or community aquarium.
Habitat
Natural Habitat: Shallow, slow-moving or still waters including ponds, ditches, floodplains, marshes, and vegetated river margins with dense surface growth, submerged plants, roots, and seasonal changes.
Natural Water Conditions: Warm, generally soft, slightly acidic to neutral water with little current. Habitats may become turbid or low in dissolved oxygen during dry periods.
Other Habitat Notes: Honey gouramis possess a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air. Dense vegetation and floating cover provide security, feeding areas, and bubble-nest sites.
Aquarium
Tank Size Notes: More space and visual barriers reduce stress and male territorial behavior. A 20-gallon-long offers better separation and planting options than a tall aquarium of equal volume.
Tank Shape: A standard rectangular aquarium with generous horizontal space and easy surface access
Substrate: Dark sand, smooth gravel, or planted substrate; avoid sharp material and choose a substrate compatible with dense planting.
Plants: Use abundant live plants, especially floating plants and tall stems. Water sprite, frogbit, Salvinia, Cryptocoryne, Java fern, Anubias, mosses, and broad-leaved plants work well.
Hardscape: Branching driftwood, smooth roots, rounded stones, and shaded overhangs without tight trapping spaces
Hiding Places: Create several separate planted retreats and broken sight lines, especially when keeping more than one gourami.
Swimming Space: Preserve calm open areas between plant groups and clear routes to the surface.
Water Flow: Gentle. Baffle strong outlets and leave calm surface areas where the fish can rest and a male can build a bubble nest.
Lighting: Low to moderate. Floating plants and shaded areas help timid fish remain visible and relaxed.
Lid Required: Yes. Honey gouramis can jump, and a lid maintains a warm, humid air layer above the water for the labyrinth organ. Leave safe ventilation and surface access.
Other Setup Notes: Use a fully cycled aquarium with ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm. Keep temperature stable, protect filter intakes, and avoid placing the tank in an exposed high-traffic area without cover.
Behavior
General Behavior: Gentle, curious fish that investigate plants, browse surfaces, breathe at the top, and hover in shaded midwater. They may initially hide but become bolder with calm surroundings and a predictable routine.
Aggression: Low overall. Males may chase rivals or females and defend a bubble-nest area.
Territorial: Mildly, especially adult males during breeding
Schooling/Social Behavior: Not a schooling fish. Honey gouramis may loosely associate but also require personal space and visual separation.
Group Requirements: A single honey gourami is appropriate. In groups, avoid crowding males, provide dense cover, and monitor females for courtship stress. A pair is not guaranteed to bond or remain peaceful.
Notable Behaviors: A displaying male may become bright honey-yellow or orange with a dark blue-black throat and underside. He may build a bubble nest among floating plants and court a female beneath it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my honey gourami hiding?
New honey gouramis are often shy. Check ammonia, nitrite, temperature, breathing, and signs of bullying, then provide floating plants, shaded retreats, gentle flow, calm tank mates, and a predictable feeding routine. A healthy fish should gradually become more visible.
Sources and Further Reading
- FishBase taxonomy and species context: Trichogaster chuna FishBase Consortium