A gentle, honey-coloured gourami that suits calm planted tanks. A good alternative to a betta.
- Temperature22–28 °C
- pH6–7.5
- Minimum tank50 L
- DifficultyBeginner
| Food | Fine pellet/flake + frozen daphnia |
|---|---|
| Feeding | Twice a day |
| Water change | 20–25% weekly |
Behaviour and habits
The honey gourami is a gentle, honey-coloured labyrinth fish and one of the most peaceful gouramis, an unusually tolerant species that suits a calm, planted community. It hangs mid-water, breathes at the surface and can be shy, preferring plant cover and gentle company to boisterous tankmates that would bully or out-compete it. A calm, quiet tank brings out its best colour and confidence.
What to feed, and how often
Small foods it can take at the surface — a fine pellet or flake plus frozen daphnia and brineshrimp. Feed twice a day, a little at a time; its small mouth is easily out-eaten by faster fish, so make sure it gets its share.
Water changes and maintenance
Change about 20–25% weekly, keeping the lid on and the flow gentle. Keep the water warm and stable, as it comes from slow, warm water and dislikes cold drafts and strong current.
Care and how easy it is
Easy and peaceful — a good betta substitute for a calm community tank, provided it has cover and gentle tankmates.
Lifespan
With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 5–8 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.
Common health problems
Prone to fin rot and ich when chilled or stressed by pushy tankmates.
If it gets sick
Warm the tank, check for draughts and bullying, and improve the water; for ich, treat and keep watching about a week after the spots clear.
Good tank mates
- 18–26°C
- pH 6.5–8
- 20 L+
- 21-25 C
- pH 6.0-7.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 24-26 C
- pH 6.5-7.5
- 40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base
- 22-26 C
- pH 7.0-8.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 20–26°C
- pH 7–8.2
- 50 L+
Best avoided with
Similar species
- 24-26 C
- pH 6.5-7.5
- 40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base
- 24–28°C
- pH 6.5–8
- 90 L+
- 22-27 C
- pH 6.0-7.5
- 60 L or more; at least 60 x 30 cm base for one
- 24–28°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 30 L+
- 23–28°C
- pH 6–8
- 100 L+
Compare at a glance
| Parameters | Honey gourami | Betta | Pearl gourami | Dwarf gourami |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameters | ||||
| Temp | 22–28 °C | 24–28 °C | 24–28 °C | 22–27 °C |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 6–7.5 | 6.5–8 | 6–7.5 |
| GH | 2–12 °dGH | 2–12 °dGH | 5–15 °dGH | 2–12 °dGH |
| Min. tank | 50 L | 20 L | 90 L | 50 L |
| Size | 5 cm | 6 cm | 10 cm | 6 cm |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner | Intermediate | Intermediate |
Care guides
New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.
Sources and research notes
Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.