Dwarf gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Family : Osphronemidae

FishFreshwatergourami

The Dwarf gourami is a small, colorful labyrinth fish, very popular in the aquarium hobby. It is appreciated for its bright colors and peaceful behavior.

Dwarf gourami — photo 1 sur 4 — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.01 / 4

Popularity

Community fish

classic in freshwater aquarium

Availability

Common in shops

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Description

The Dwarf gourami reaches up to 6 cm. Males display bright blue and red stripes, while females are duller. It has a labyrinth organ allowing it to breathe atmospheric air. It is a shy fish that appreciates densely planted areas. It can become territorial during breeding. It builds a bubble nest for spawning. Its lifespan is 2 to 4 years.

Habitat

Region :

Stagnant, vegetated waters, rice paddies, ditches

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature24–28 °C

pH6–7.5

GH4–10 °dGH

KH3–8 °dKH

NO₃

≤ 20 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 0.5 mg/L

Care

Difficulty

2/5

Diet

Omnivore

Min. tank

40 L

Min. group

Adult size

6 cm

Lifespan

3 years

Temperament

Peaceful but males can be territorial

Propagation

Bubble nest builder

Care notes

Maintain a temperature of 24-28°C and pH 6.0-7.5. A minimum tank size of 40 liters is recommended. Water should be soft to moderately hard (GH 4-10). Provide a varied diet: flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, bloodworms. Plant the aquarium densely and provide hiding spots. Avoid strong currents. This gourami is compatible with other peaceful fish of similar size. Males can be aggressive towards each other; it is best to keep them in pairs or a single male. A lid is necessary as it may jump.

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