Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Also known as: Colisa chuna
A spitting, bubble-building gourami that rewards keepers who give it company.
About
The honey gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is a small labyrinth fish from the slow-moving waters of India and Bangladesh, where it haunts densely vegetated pools, ditches, flooded rice paddies, and weedy lake margins. Like all anabantoids it carries a specialized accessory organ above the gills that lets it breathe directly from the air surface, making it surprisingly tolerant of low-oxygen conditions. Despite being listed as aggressive and territorial in structured data, its aggression is mostly directed at its own kind rather than at other species, and it can actually be quite timid around boisterous tankmates. Peaceful, slower-moving companions suit it far better than anything nippy or hyperactive. Keep a group of at least four to six individuals rather than a lone specimen or a simple pair, because groups develop lively social dynamics, with dominant fish establishing territories and chasing rivals away from favored spots and food. That social complexity is honestly one of the species' best features to watch. In the wild it reportedly shoots droplets of water to knock insects off overhanging vegetation, a behavior worth watching for at the water surface. A number of captive color forms exist, including red, sunset, and golden variants, all kept identically to the natural form. It breeds via bubble-nest construction and is a rewarding first breeding project for newcomers to the hobby.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Honey Gourami
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Honey Gourami get?
- The Honey Gourami reaches about 2–3.5" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Honey Gourami need?
- A minimum of 14 gallons is recommended for the Honey Gourami.
- What water parameters does the Honey Gourami need?
- The Honey Gourami does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 2–19 dGH.
- Is the Honey Gourami aggressive?
- The Honey Gourami is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Honey Gourami eat?
- The Honey Gourami is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Honey Gourami live?
- With good care, the Honey Gourami typically lives 5-8 years.