Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)

The Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is the gentlest centerpiece fish in the freshwater hobby. This is the yellow or gold color form, a warm amber body that deepens to burnt honey on a mature male, with long thread-like pelvic fins he uses to feel his way around the tank like a pair of antennae. He hangs in the midwater among the plants, investigates everything slowly, and picks fights with nobody. At two inches he suits tanks far too small for most showpiece fish, and he is genuinely hardy. Browse the rest of our freshwater livestock and supplies to build the tank around him.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 10 gallons for one or a pair, 20 gallons for a small group. They are slow, deliberate swimmers, so quiet water matters more than volume.
• Plant it and dim it. Honey Gouramis come from weedy, shaded backwaters and a bare bright tank leaves them washed out and hiding. Give them Java Moss, Java Fern, and ideally something floating to break up the light. Color and confidence both improve within days.
• Keep the flow low. These are labyrinth fish built for still water. A strong filter outflow pushes them around and keeps them off the surface where they need to breathe.
• Surface access is required. 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.
• Water parameters: 72 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, hardness 4 to 15 dGH. Adaptable and forgiving of ordinary tap water.
• Feeding: omnivore with a small mouth and slow manners. Micro pellets and finely crushed flake such as Hikari Micro Pellets or Xtreme Nano Pellets, plus frozen or freeze dried treats. Watch that faster fish are not clearing the food before he gets there.
• Lid: recommended. Any surface breathing fish can jump.

Specifications

Compatibility

One of the easiest centerpiece fish to stock around, because it genuinely does not bother anything. Pair it with small peaceful schoolers like Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Rummy Nose Tetras, or Cherry Barbs. Down below, Skunk Corys, Black Kuhli Loaches, and an Otocinclus all work. Amano Shrimp and nerite snails are safe with adults, though very small shrimplets may be eaten.

What to avoid. Fin nippers are the main problem: those long trailing pelvic feelers are an obvious target, and tiger barbs will strip them. Also skip fast, greedy eaters that will out-compete a slow, cautious feeder, and anything large enough to intimidate a two inch fish.

Other gouramis. One male per tank is the safe rule, since males will display at each other. We also carry the larger Dwarf Gourami, Pearl Gourami, and Blue Gourami, all of which are different species with more assertive temperaments than this one.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Micro Pellets, sized right for a small mouth
• Xtreme Nano Slow-Sinking Pellets
• Xtreme Community Crave Flakes
• SFBB Mini Bloodworms as a treat
• Java Moss and Java Fern for cover and confidence

FAQ

Mine looks pale tan, not honey yellow. Did I get the wrong fish?
Almost certainly not. Young Honey Gouramis and females are a muted silvery tan with a faint dark stripe, and the deep honey gold is mostly a mature male trait that intensifies further when he is in breeding condition or feeling secure. Give him plants, cover, and a few weeks, and the color usually arrives.

Honey Gourami or Dwarf Gourami?
They are different species and the Honey is the gentler one. T. chuna stays around 2 inches and is famously placid, while the Dwarf Gourami (T. lalius) reaches about 3 inches and is more assertive, particularly males toward other males. Honeys also have a reputation as the hardier of the two. For a peaceful community tank, the Honey is the easier pick.

What are the long thread-like fins for?
Those are modified pelvic fins and they work as touch and taste organs. In murky wild water they let the fish feel out its surroundings, and in an aquarium you will see them constantly probing plants, decor, and occasionally tank mates. They are delicate, which is why fin nippers are such a bad match.

Will they build a bubble nest?
Males often do, especially in a well planted tank with calm water. It is a sign of a comfortable fish rather than a problem, and you do not need to do anything about it unless you want to try breeding them.