Honey Dwarf Gourami

Honey Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) displays the classic warm golden-honey coloration of the species — pale amber to golden-yellow in females, intensifying to rich honey-gold and orange in males when in breeding condition. This is the closest to the natural wild-type coloration of T. chuna. The Honey Gourami is one of the most underrated small gouramis available — peaceful, adaptable, beautifully colored, and genuinely easy to keep. At under 2 inches it is one of the smallest gouramis in the hobby, making it ideal for nano planted aquariums where larger gouramis would be inappropriate.

Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Baby and Hikari Micro Pellets are ideal staples for this smaller gourami — the smaller particle size suits the Honey Gourami's petite mouth well. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp, Hikari Frozen Daphnia, or Hikari Vibra Bites. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.

Native to slow-moving, heavily vegetated rivers and streams of northeastern India and Bangladesh — the Brahmaputra drainage. A smaller and more delicate-looking fish than the Dwarf Gourami, the Honey Gourami is also considerably more peaceful and less likely to cause issues in a community setting. It is not susceptible to Dwarf Gourami Iridovirus (DGIV), making it a more reliable long-term choice for aquarists who have had difficulty with T. lalius.

Keep one male with two or more females, or in a small group. Males are minimally territorial — far less aggressive than Dwarf Gouramis. An excellent choice for planted nano aquariums and gentle community setups with small tetras, nano rasboras, and similar peaceful species. One of the best small gouramis for community tanks that include delicate or shy fish.

Males build floating bubble nests at the surface among plants or floating vegetation when in breeding condition — a fascinating and distinctive behavior. The male courts the female with elaborate fin displays, and the pair spawns beneath the nest. The male guards eggs and wriggling larvae until the fry become free-swimming. Remove the female after spawning to protect her from the male's nest-guarding aggression. All gouramis possess a labyrinth organ — a specialized breathing structure above the gills that allows them to breathe atmospheric air directly from the surface. This adaptation evolved for life in oxygen-poor waters and means gouramis can survive in conditions that would stress most other fish. Always ensure unobstructed surface access — a tight-fitting lid with a small gap, or a covered aquarium, prevents the fish from breathing cold air which can cause respiratory issues.

Care & Ideal Parameters