Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
A shy top-dweller for a planted 10–20. Buy from a healthy tank — dwarf gourami iridovirus is a real problem in farmed stock.
Shy top-dweller for a planted 10–20.
In the tank
- Uses the top third without the betta lottery.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Top
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- Minimum tank
- 10 gal
- Group
- Can be kept singly
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Diet
- Micro pellets, flakes, frozen foods at the surface.
- Beginner
- Not a first fish
How to keep them
- Buy from a healthy tank — iridovirus is common in farmed stock.
- Gentle flow.
Tankmates
Small tetras, corys. Not a second male gourami in a 10.
Avoid
Boisterous danios and male bettas.
Check tankmates · Stocking calculator
Same group
Betta
Betta splendens
A single centrepiece for a heated, filtered 5–10 gallon.
The whole show in a small planted tank.
Pearl Gourami
Trichopodus leerii
A larger, calmer gourami centrepiece.
Will pick at hydra and some leftover food at the surface.
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Small peaceful labyrinth fish for a planted 10.
Less drama than a betta, less speed than danios.