{"product_id":"blue-gourami-trichopodus-trichopterus-freshwater","title":"Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Gourami\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eTrichopodus trichopterus\u003c\/em\u003e) is the big, bulletproof gourami. A silvery blue body carries faint darker banding and two dark spots along the flank, which is where the older hobby name Three Spot Gourami comes from, counting the eye as the third. This is one of the hardiest fish in the freshwater trade, and at five inches it patrols the tank with real presence. The one thing to plan for is temperament. A juvenile is mild, a mature adult is territorial, so this is a fish you stock deliberately rather than drop into a peaceful nano community. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons for a single fish, 40 gallons or more once you add a community. Floor space matters more than height, because an adult claims territory horizontally.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlan for the attitude.\u003c\/strong\u003e Expect a peaceful juvenile to turn assertive somewhere around the four inch mark. Keep one per tank unless you have a 55 gallon or larger with broken sight lines, and be ready to rehome a bully rather than hope it settles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreak up the line of sight.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense planting along the back and sides plus driftwood gives smaller fish places to leave the territory. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-barteri-potted\"\u003eAnubias Barteri\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e both handle a boisterous fish without being uprooted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep the flow low.\u003c\/strong\u003e Labyrinth fish come from still, weedy water. A hard filter outflow pushes them around and disturbs the calm surface they need.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurface access is required.\u003c\/strong\u003e Like bettas, they gulp atmospheric air through a labyrinth organ. Leave an air gap under the lid and keep that air warm and humid so they are not breathing cold room air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0, hardness 5 to 20 dGH. Genuinely undemanding, and forgiving of ordinary tap water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a big appetite and no fussiness at all. A quality flake or slow sinking pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-freshwater-community-formula-flake\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Community Formula Flake\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-community-peewee-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Community PeeWee Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as the staple, with frozen foods a couple of times a week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e required. Surface breathers jump, and this one is large enough to clear an open rim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrichopodus trichopterus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Gourami, Three Spot Gourami, Two Spot Gourami\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor form\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue, the wild type. Opaline, Gold, and Platinum are the same species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOsphronemidae, the gouramis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate. Very hardy, but needs thoughtful stocking\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, and increasingly territorial with age\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 to 20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow. A labyrinth fish from still water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, unfussy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e4 to 6 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoutheast Asia, in slow weedy backwaters, ditches, and paddy margins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStock robust, fast, average sized fish that can hold their own and get out of the way. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/boesemani-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-boesemani-freshwater\"\u003eBoesemani Rainbowfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Skirt Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/white-hifin-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi\"\u003eWhite Hifin Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e are all good midwater company. Down below, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yo-yo-loach-botia-almorhae-freshwater\"\u003eYo Yo Loaches\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sterbai-cory-corydoras-sterbai-freshwater\"\u003eSterbai Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/spotted-raphael-catfish-agamyxis-pectinifrons-freshwater\"\u003eSpotted Raphael Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e stay out of the argument entirely. Nerite snails such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003eRacetrack Nerite\u003c\/a\u003e are safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to avoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything slow, long finned, or small enough to look like food. Skip bettas, guppies, angelfish, and fancy finned livebearers, all of which get their trailing fins shredded. Skip \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-barb-puntigrus-tetrazona-freshwater\"\u003eTiger Barbs\u003c\/a\u003e too, since that pairing tends to go badly in both directions. Dwarf shrimp are a food item to an adult, not a tank mate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther gouramis.\u003c\/strong\u003e One male per tank is the rule, and mixing this species with the gentler gouramis is usually a mistake. Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/honey-gourami-trichogaster-chuna-freshwater\"\u003eHoney Gourami\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-gourami-male-trichogaster-lalius-freshwater\"\u003eDwarf Gourami\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pearl-gourami-trichopodus-leerii-freshwater\"\u003ePearl Gourami\u003c\/a\u003e are all calmer fish that this one will push around. If you want a large centerpiece gourami for a peaceful community, the Pearl is the better choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-freshwater-community-formula-flake\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Freshwater Community Formula Flake\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-community-peewee-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Community PeeWee Slow-Sinking Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-vibra-bites-sinking-pellet-fish-food\"\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/a\u003e, which trigger a strong feeding response\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-frozen-brine-shrimp-plus\"\u003eFrozen Brine Shrimp Plus\u003c\/a\u003e as a treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-barteri-potted\"\u003eAnubias Barteri\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and broken sight lines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-stressguard\"\u003eSeachem StressGuard\u003c\/a\u003e for the settling-in period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same fish as the Opaline, Gold, or Platinum Gourami?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Opaline, Gold, Platinum, and Blue are all selectively bred color forms of \u003cem\u003eTrichopodus trichopterus\u003c\/em\u003e, and they behave identically. Blue is closest to the wild type. If you already keep one of the other color forms, treat a second one as the same species for stocking purposes, which means one per tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMine was fine for months and now it chases everything. What changed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt grew up. This species is genuinely mild as a juvenile and develops territorial behavior as it matures, usually somewhere past four inches. More floor space, denser planting, and broken sight lines all help, but a determined adult sometimes just needs its own tank. Plan the stocking around the adult fish rather than the one in the bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat my shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn adult will hunt dwarf shrimp, and shrimplets have no chance at all. The flip side is that this is one of the better fish for clearing hydra and planaria out of a tank, so if a pest bloom is the problem, a Blue Gourami is a real solution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Gourami or Pearl Gourami?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth reach about five inches and both work as a centerpiece, but the Pearl is far calmer and fits a mixed community much more easily. Choose the Blue if you want a tough, characterful fish for a robust tank, or if you specifically want a hydra eater. Choose the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pearl-gourami-trichopodus-leerii-freshwater\"\u003ePearl\u003c\/a\u003e if peace matters more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48077721436379,"sku":"FW1-F1143","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_415dca69-c7fc-4bb0-9d90-bde9e353c63c.jpg?v=1766506872","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-gourami-trichopodus-trichopterus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}