Looking for a elegant fish that showcase your aquarium honey gourami is a good choice for you. Just like betta fish, honey gourami has some special characteristics that makes them out standing. In this article you will the complete care guide of this fish and some interesting facts, so stay with us till end.
About Honey Gourami
Honey Gourami scientifically known as Trichogaster chuna among fish keepers. This fish originate from India and Bangladesh. Moreover, this fish belongs to the family of Osphronemidae. Its nano and colorful fish, that have special labyrinth organ to absorb oxygen directly.
However, T. chuna usually find in rivers and lakes located in India and Bagladesh. They generally live in thick vegetation area which is soft and in less mineralize water. This fish prefer to lives in upper and mid level of water.
| Scientific name | Trichogaster chuna |
| Origin | India and Bangladesh |
| Tank parameters | 5 or 10 gallon |
| Temperature | 74-82 F |
| Compatibility | Community fish |
Appearance of Honey Gourami
Honey Gourami are generally active, hardy and beginner friendly, ideal for fish keepers. The body shape of fish is slender compressed, have flat sides. Gourami is distinctive due to its orange color and oblong shape. If we talk about its base color, they have golden and honey yellow color. They also have blue or green spots specially in males.
Moreover, male members of this specie are more brighter in color as compared to females. Whereas females have rounded dorsal fins and orange rim color. Females have silvery white of brown spots with lateral bands which are usually dark.
This Trichogaster chuna is from the family of Osphronemidae. It is considered an ideal beginner fish, known because of its slender and compressed body. Moreover, when it comes to its size Honey Gourami are 2.2 inches (5.5cm) long in length. Whereas, while breeding females exhibit more brighter orange color and males underside becomes black while breeding. This nano fish is similar like Guppy, Endler livebearers etc. Moreover, this specie can lives for about 4-8years.
Characteristics of Honey Gourami
Honey Gourami is known for its three main characteristics:
- Shape: the male fish have slender, compressed means having flat sides .
- Behaviour: these are peaceful and social specie good for community tanks.
- Compatibility: is a peaceful and compatible fish can live with other peaceful community fish .
- Fins: they have transparent fins with just the hint of color, and males longer and pointed fins.
Tank Parameters of Honey Gourami
Honey Gourami are brilliant beginner fish, they are hardy and good for aquariums. Moreover, they can live in wide range of water conditions. They prefer to live in soft to hard water. However, the ideal tank size 5 or 10 gallon due to its nano size. It is suggested that for group of three fish 20 gallon size is prefer.
Temperature or pH level
Honey Gourami are originate from India and Bangladesh, they can live in soft to hard water. The best consider pH level for water is 6.0-8.0 with the parameters of 74-82 degree fahrenhiets.
Moreover, for maintaining water conditions, change water daily to maintain the water quality good. Make sure to use good quality water filters in aquarium to keep your fish happy and healthy. As they are sensitive fish, tank should have clean, and well maintained environment, with sotf to moderately hard water.
Feeding
Honey Gourami are omnivores, eat both plants and animals. They are not picky eaters they omnivores food such as, pellets, Repashy gel food, flakes and daphina. In wild they prefer to eat small bugs larvae and other invertebrates. Moreover, they should be provided with the wide variety of food, to overcome nutrients deficiency, to keep healthy as well as for healthy breeding.
Breeding
Honey Gourami breeding is the fun part, because they are the bubble nesters. There are many ways of breeding Gourami, firstly have a pair of this fish. While breeding, males become more vibrant in coloration than females , and male black from underside. Prepare 10 gallon tank with 15-20 cm of water, with 82F temperature. Add lots of floating plants so that males can easly look after their bubble nest. Feed the pair with plenty of frozen and lives foods. The eggs will hatch in 24-36 days and become free swimmers in 1 to 2 days. Feed them powder food, baby brine shrimps and vinger eel.
Conclusion
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna), native of India and Bangladesh. It is perfect freshwater aquarium fish from the family of Osphronemidae. This is a colorful, and easy to care fish which makes them the ideal choice and rewarding for aquarists. With the wide range of temperature, and well maintain environment they can thrive in community tank set up. Its very small size, peaceful and hardy nature brings charm and elegance in tanks. Moreover , with proper care, stable tank parameters, proper food, Honey Gourami can stay live long, healthy, and happy.