Easy

Honey Gourami

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Trichogaster chuna

Complete Honey Gourami care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 10 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Honey Gourami

Quick Answer

Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. It requires a minimum 10 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.2 and temperature range of 26-30°C. This omnivore occupies the top zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. Known for their peaceful nature and distinct appearance, they occupy the top levels of the aquarium and bring dynamic energy to any setup.

Setup

Honey Gourami requires a stable, well-filtered aquarium of at least 10 gallons. They thrive best with moderate water movement and a reliable heater to maintain temperatures around 26-30°C. Ensure pH levels remain consistent between 6.0 - 7.2 to prevent stress and support long-term health.

Feeding

As a omnivore, the Honey Gourami is not a picky eater. They should be fed a high-quality base of flakes, sinking pellets, or wafers. Periodic supplementation with frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, will boost their health and colors.

Compatibility

Honey Gourami has a peaceful temperament. They are compatible with other fish of similar sizes and temperaments. Avoid placing them with aggressive species or tankmates they are listed as incompatible with, such as: betta.

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Tank Position
Top
Water Temp
26-30°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.2

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Honey Gouramis should be kept together?
Keep as a single individual, a verified male-female pair, or one male with 2-3 females in a tank of at least 15 gallons (57 liters) with a footprint of 24x12 inches (60x30 cm). Honey gouramis (Trichogaster chuna) are much more peaceful than standard dwarf gouramis; multiple females can coexist. Two males in under 20 gallons may spar but rarely cause injury. Provide floating plants (Frogbit, Salvinia) and gentle filtration. Avoid with boisterous tetras or barbs that outcompete them for food.
What are the exact water parameters for Honey Gouramis?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.2, General Hardness 3 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 400 μS/cm, and temperature 75°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). They require calm water with minimal surface current; strong flow stresses them. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge filter or baffled HOB. Add Indian almond leaves to boost immunity. Hardness below 3 dGH causes clamped fins.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Honey Gouramis?
They are gentle omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed premium tropical flakes, small granules, frozen daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched peas weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <3 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole for 10 days. They are susceptible to dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV) but less than Trichogaster lalius.
How to breed Honey Gouramis with environmental triggers?
Condition a male and female with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 2 weeks. Set up a 10-gallon (38 liter) breeding tank with 6 inches (15 cm) of water (pH 7.0, dGH 6, 80°F/27°C), floating plants, and a piece of styrofoam. The male builds a bubble nest. Introduce the female; spawning occurs in 12-24 hours. Male wraps around female; 200-500 eggs float to nest. Remove female immediately. Male guards nest until fry hatch (24-36 hours). Remove male after fry become free-swimming (day 3). Fry feed infusoria for 5 days, then baby brine shrimp.