Honey gourami

The Honey Gourami is a great option if you’re searching for a charming and vibrant addition to your aquarium. Aquarium enthusiasts love these little, tranquil fish because of their vivid colors and kind disposition. Honey gouramis are native to Southeast Asia, and they can liven up any aquatic setup in your tank with a splash of golden color.

Because they require little maintenance, honey gouramis are an excellent choice for both novice and seasoned fish keepers. They can coexist peacefully with other non-aggressive species and do well in aquariums with lush plants and tranquil water. They won’t mess with your tank’s equilibrium or cause problems with their fellow fish because of their small size and peaceful nature.

Not to mention, these fish have fascinating behaviors. When they interact with one another or feel threatened, they frequently perform a delicate color dance. Their interactions can be fascinating to watch because they communicate by subtly changing their body language and color.

Honey Gouramis don’t have particular dietary preferences. They will eat a wide range of foods with great pleasure, including premium flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods. Providing a balanced diet will support them in keeping their general health and brilliant colors.

All things considered, the Honey Gourami is a lovely fish that can improve the aesthetics and peace of your aquarium. They are a fantastic addition to any fish tank because of their low maintenance needs and eye-catching appearance.

Honey gourami in nature

These fish are thought to be native to Bangladesh, northeast India, Nepal, and South Asia. They go by the name "chuna" there. They may be encountered in a ditch, flooded field, lake, or pond. Dense thickets cover all of these reservoirs. They contain soft water that contains trace amounts of minerals. There is either no current at all or very little.

Wild gourami consume a variety of zooplankton, insects, and larvae.

Additionally, they have an extremely fascinating method of hunting insects: the fish freezes at the water’s surface and starts to search for food. The gourami precisely releases a stream of water and knocks the victim into the water as soon as it appears to be within reach.

Hamilton provided the first description of Trichogaster chuna (lat.) in 1822. And it wasn’t until 1965 that our nation saw these bizarre fish.

What does a honey gourami look like

  • It has an oval, high, flattened laterally body.
  • The head is equipped with large eyes and a small, slightly upturned mouth.
  • The fins on the chest are small, transparent. The fins on the abdomen are long, thread-like, with them the fish touches surrounding objects.

The anal and spinal fins are smaller than in Lalius, but otherwise, the resemblance is striking. One extends from the midline of the back to the circular tail, while the other begins at the peritoneum and ends at the tail.

Males average 4 cm in length, while females average 5 cm. Occasionally, 8-centimeter "giants" can be found. Longevity of T. chuna: 4–5 years?

The honey gourami’s natural color is a yellow-silver-gray hue with a light brown stripe running the length of its body. But these days, they frequently offer fish that are more vivid and striking, especially those that are produced by crossing red and gold individuals.

They might appear faded when sold because of stress. After adapting, their beauty is shown, especially in the bright males during spawning.

Their name comes from the fact that they become richly honey or reddish-orange in color, with a dark blue belly and head and yellow tips on their anal and dorsal fins. A more slender body and the sharp tips of the fins on the back and close to the tail are additional characteristics that set males apart.

Character and compatibility

The traits of timidity, slowness, and fearfulness are characteristic of honey gourami. To ensure that other fish do not rob them of food, they require more time to adjust and exert control.

Thick weeds will boost their self-esteem and ease their anxiety. The daytime hours are when the fish are most active. They favor the water’s middle and upper layers. Given that these fish are labyrinthine, they must have access to atmospheric air.

One can populate T. chuna alone, in pairs, or in clusters of four to ten pieces. Although they do not attend school, they enjoy company and only really open up to people in a group setting. The flock is arranged in a hierarchy.

Every other male is driven away by the dominant male, who is the biggest and strongest. There should be an equal number of males and females in a group.

The fish can coexist in a common aquarium or with other members of its species, but only if they are peaceful, small neighbors that won’t bother the gourami, such as non-aggressive labyrinth fish, danios, guppies, neons, tetras, rasboras, and corydoras catfish. There could be disagreements with laliuses. A neighborhood with aggressive and overly active species is bound for disaster.

Fish that are charming and require little care are called gouramis, and they are a delightful addition to any freshwater aquarium. These little fish, who are well-known for their vivid colors and calm disposition, do best in tanks that are densely planted and have mild filtration. This article will discuss the special qualities of honey gouramis, such as how best to take care of them, what makes a perfect tank, and how they get along with other fish in the aquarium. You can provide a healthy habitat for these lovely and kind fish by being aware of their needs and habits.

Creating conditions for honey gourami

Even inexperienced aquarists will be able to maintain and care for these macropods. They primarily include weekly water changes, feeding, and plant thinning. Now for more specifics:

Sizes of containers. A big aquarium is not necessary for honey gourami. One fish will fit in 10 l, two fish in 40 l, and a group of fish in 50 l. The fish risk getting a cold if the top isn’t covered with a lid to maintain warm, humid air at the surface. The temperature differential between the water and the surrounding air should be negligible.

Parameters. Maintaining a temperature range of 22–27 °C, an acidity of 6.0–7.5 pH, and a hardness of 4–15 °dH is preferable. Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial because fish will suffer from even a 2 degree shift in temperature. Having a heater with a thermostat would be ideal.

It is necessary to filter, and the flow should be moderate. Only in a species aquarium is aeration required. It is advised to add settled fresh water to replace thirty percent of the water each week.

Illumination. Since gourami are scared of bright light and are always hiding behind bushes, it is not necessary to have bright direct light. Fluorescent lamps with 0.3–0.4 W/l will benefit from optimally diffused light.

Earth. Washed coarse gray river sand can be used to lay out the bottom. T. chuna appear much brighter against a dark background. The most important factor is that the soil was safe, meaning nothing hazardous leaked into the water.

Any kind of plant will do as long as it can withstand warm water and grow dense thickets. Vallisneria, Elodea, Myriophyllum, and Fern are most frequently utilized. There is empty space in the middle as they are positioned at the reservoir’s sides and rear. Above, floating duckweed and riccia are released, providing shade for the fish to swim in.

Because honey gourami are labyrinths, you must provide them access to atmospheric air in addition to the oxygen dissolved in the water.

Embellishment. To encourage shy and timid fish to come out of their shells, place enough shelters and a few snags on the bottom.

How to feed

All-consuming Feeding T. chuna is simple. They consume frozen, live, and dry food voluntarily. Daphnia, bloodworms, cyclops, brine shrimp, coretra, and cyclops will all thrive, but be cautious when using tubifex as fish can become obese and eventually perish from it. Small portions are recommended. One or two of them are given each day. The food should be pre-chopped if it is excessively large. They are also fed flakes that contain plant material.

How to get offspring

Honey gourami are 6–8 months old when they are ready to breed. This is an easy process. It can happen in a regular aquarium, which is advantageous for females because they won’t develop cystic conditions, but in this situation, saving the fry will be challenging.

It is advised to carefully scoop up the nest using a saucer and move it to a different container to improve their chances of surviving. There should also be a transplant of the courting male.

Structure of the spawning grounds. Using a spawning tank remains the best option though.

  • A 10-liter container is suitable for a pair, a 40-liter container with a lid for a group.
  • Water is poured no higher than 15-20 cm. It should have a temperature of 26-29 ° C, hardness of no more than 5 ° dH and acidity 6.0-6.5 pH.
  • Plants with wide leaves such as water lilies are placed there.
  • The soil is optional.
  • Sometimes it is recommended to close the front glass so as not to bother the fish.

A small group or a pair will spawn. Males and females get along well. substance and, fifthly, food for fish reproduction. The male is sent to the spawning ground to construct a foam nest beneath a sheet of a large plant, and it is launched as soon as the "lullaby" is ready, once the female has become fat from caviar.

When the building is finished, the male attracts the "lady" to him, and it spawns. His appearance is typical of all labyrinth hugs: the male envelops a frozen female, squeezing out eggs that fertilize instantly. This is said multiple times. There can be up to 300 pieces of caviar.

The female is set aside after the spawning process is complete. The male is kept aside for one to one and a half days, or until the caviar is harmed, at which point it is also removed.

Even at night, it’s a good idea to keep a small light source above the nest. It will prevent the male from dozing off and motivate him to care for the young constantly. The father actually nods off in complete darkness, and in the meantime, the eggs sink to the bottom and perish from a lack of oxygen.

Taking care of the children. The spawning tank’s water is heated to thirty degrees, lowered to a maximum depth of ten centimeters, and equipped with a weak aeration system. Only once the fry have formed a labyrinth organ (they will start to rise to the surface and gasp for air) will it be possible to add water and remove the aerator.

To keep the fry from starving, after three days, as soon as they can swim, they are fed infusoria and crushed egg yolk several times a day. They are transferred to Artemia nauplii after 10–14 days. Because gourami tend to become cannibals, they must be sorted as they grow.

A little about honey gourami diseases gourami

They are susceptible to oodinosis, which can persist in adult fish for years in a latent state. Fry, though, are in danger.

Oodinium flagellates, which penetrate the skin, fins, gills, and oral mucosa, are the cause of the disease. Fish, plants, or equipment from a "foreign" aquarium can all spread infection.

Fish that are sick can be identified by their rough, almost gold-colored head, their grayish-brown glued fins, spots on their bodies that are the same color, and in some cases, peeling skin. The poor thing curls up in a corner and brushes up against trees or other plants.

Bicillin, copper sulfate, malachite green, hydrochloride, and table salt are added to baths as part of the treatment process. Because pathogens, like plants, have chloroplasts, treatment is administered in total darkness.

Characteristic Description
Scientific Name Trichogaster chuna
Size Up to 7 cm (2.8 inches)
Color Bright yellow-orange with a honey hue
Temperament Peaceful, good for community tanks
Water Temperature 24-28°C (75-82°F)
pH Range 6.0-7.5
Diet Omnivore, enjoys flakes, pellets, and live food

A delightful addition to any freshwater aquarium are honey gouramis. Hobbyists love them for their peaceful nature and brilliant colors. These charming little fish enhance the aesthetic appeal of your tank and help create a peaceful aquatic habitat. Honey gouramis are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a fish that’s visually striking and easy to care for.

Comprehending the basic requirements of honey gouramis is essential to their happiness. They do best in tanks that are kept clean, have soft filtration, and lots of hiding places. They will remain healthy and lively with a diet of premium flake food and infrequent treats that is well-balanced. They complement other peaceful fish well because of their calm disposition and subtle, non-aggressive liveliness.

In conclusion, aquarium enthusiasts will find honey gouramis to be a charming and low-maintenance choice. They are an excellent option for both novice and seasoned aquarists due to their eye-catching appearance and laid-back disposition. You can enjoy these lovely fish and their calming presence in your tank for many years to come if you give them the proper care and environment.

Video on the topic

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Olga Vishnevskaya

Biologist by education, aquarist by vocation. Specialization — breeding and care of freshwater aquarium plants. Since childhood I have been fond of aquariums, constantly experimenting with creating biotopes and selecting flora for various types of aquariums. I am sure that green aquariums can transform any interior and improve the quality of life.

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