What To Feed Gourami Fish?
- mktpromeal
- Oct 14
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Gouramis are among the most peaceful and graceful freshwater fish, loved for their calm behavior and stunning colors. Native to the slow-moving rivers and swamps of Southeast Asia, these fish are omnivorous by nature, feeding on insects, small crustaceans, and plant matter in the wild. In aquariums, their diet should closely replicate what they eat naturally. A balanced and varied diet helps in maintaining their health, boosting immunity, enhancing color, and ensuring a long life. Feeding your Gourami properly is not just about quantity—it’s about quality and nutrition.
1. Natural Diet of Gouramis
In their natural habitat, Gouramis are opportunistic feeders. They eat whatever is available—from small aquatic insects and larvae to algae and decomposing plant matter. The variety of food helps them stay active and energetic. In the wild, they often swim near the water surface, picking off insects and larvae, and nibbling on soft plants. Replicating this diet in an aquarium is important to keep their metabolism healthy and their behavior natural. By understanding their natural feeding habits, we can create a diet that keeps them both happy and strong in captivity.
2. Live Foods for Natural Nutrition
Live foods are the best way to mimic a Gourami’s wild diet. They offer the highest nutritional value and stimulate natural hunting instincts. Live foods such as mealworms, bloodworms, black soldier fly larvae, daphnia, and brine shrimp are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats. These not only improve muscle strength but also bring out the fish’s natural coloration and vitality. Feeding live food two to three times a week also helps prepare males for breeding by increasing their energy levels and bubble nest activity. However, it’s crucial to source live foods from clean, reliable suppliers to prevent the introduction of parasites or harmful bacteria.
3. Dried and Frozen Foods for Convenience
Dried and frozen foods are a convenient alternative to live foods and can be used daily or alternated in feeding schedules. High-quality dried mealworms, BSF larvae, bloodworms, or mixed insect medleys retain most of their nutritional content and are easy to store. Frozen versions such as brine shrimp or bloodworms also provide excellent protein while being safe and parasite-free. Before feeding dried insects, it’s best to soak them in aquarium water for a few minutes to soften them. This prevents the food from floating and makes it easier for the fish to eat. A good combination of dried and frozen foods keeps your Gouramis strong, colorful, and disease-resistant.
4. Pellets and Flakes for Daily Feeding
Pellets and flakes are the staple food for most Gouramis in aquariums. They provide a balanced diet when chosen carefully. High-quality tropical fish pellets or flakes contain essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that support daily growth and immunity. Floating pellets are especially suitable since Gouramis feed near the surface. Color-enhancing flakes rich in carotenoids help maintain their natural red, blue, and gold shades. Feed your Gouramis small amounts two to three times a day, ensuring they finish the food within two minutes. Overfeeding can pollute the water and cause bloating. Consistent feeding with high-quality pellets keeps their energy and color vibrant.
5. Vegetables and Plant-Based Foods for Balance
Although Gouramis love protein-rich insects, they also require plant-based foods for proper digestion. Soft vegetables like boiled peas (without skin), cucumber slices, spinach, or lettuce leaves are great additions to their diet. These foods provide natural fiber, help prevent constipation, and support a healthy digestive system. Blanched vegetables can be offered once or twice a week as a supplement. You can also use spirulina flakes or algae wafers, which promote color enhancement and gut health. Feeding vegetables keeps your Gouramis balanced and prevents bloating caused by excessive protein intake.
6. Feeding Frequency and Schedule
Feeding frequency is an important part of fish care. Gouramis should be fed two to three times a day in small portions that they can finish in about two minutes. Uneaten food should be removed immediately to maintain water quality. It’s best to introduce live or dried insect treats two or three times a week to add variety. Once a week, give your Gouramis a fasting day — this allows their digestive system to rest and helps prevent bloating and constipation. A consistent schedule not only keeps them healthy but also helps them develop a predictable feeding routine, reducing stress and aggression in the tank.
7. Importance of Protein in Their Diet
Protein is the most important component of a Gourami’s diet. It supports muscle growth, color enhancement, energy, and overall development. Younger fish and breeding males need even more protein than adults. Foods like live mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, bloodworms, and brine shrimp provide the ideal natural protein. A diet with 35–40% protein ensures good growth, while 40–45% protein is ideal for juveniles. Feeding insect-based protein foods like those from Promeal mimics their natural diet and keeps their color bright and body shape healthy. A balanced protein intake makes a visible difference in their strength and vibrancy.
8. Signs of a Healthy, Well-Fed Gourami
Observing your fish is the best way to judge whether they are eating well. A healthy, well-fed Gourami will display bright coloration, smooth fins, active swimming, and regular appetite. Males will often blow bubble nests — a natural behavior showing health and vitality. On the other hand, poor diet or overfeeding can lead to dull colors, bloating, or sluggish behavior. If your fish appear pale, hide often, or lose appetite, it may indicate poor water quality or nutritional imbalance. Consistent observation helps you adjust feeding before health problems occur.
9. Foods to Avoid for Gouramis
Certain foods can be harmful to Gouramis and should never be offered. Avoid human foods like bread, rice, or oily snacks, as these cause digestive issues and water pollution. Do not feed raw or fatty meat such as chicken or beef — these are difficult for fish to digest. Also, avoid unclean live food from unknown sources, which can carry parasites. Expired or stale fish food should also be discarded. Feeding safe, high-quality food ensures your Gouramis stay healthy and your aquarium water remains clean.
10. Feeding Tips for Different Gourami Species
Each Gourami species has slightly different feeding preferences based on its size and temperament. Dwarf and Honey Gouramis have small mouths and prefer finely crushed flakes, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Pearl and Moonlight Gouramis enjoy both insects and soft vegetables. Blue and Gold Gouramis are more robust and enjoy a mix of pellets and insect-based treats. The Giant Gourami, being much larger, needs hearty meals—chunks of vegetables, shrimp, and live insects. Tailoring the diet according to species ensures each fish gets the right nutrition and remains healthy.
11. Feeding and Color Enhancement
A well-planned diet directly affects your Gouramis’ coloration. Protein-rich live and dried insects, along with carotenoid-based foods, help in maintaining deep reds, vibrant blues, and shiny golds. Male Gouramis, in particular, develop stronger colors and build bubble nests more actively when fed a high-quality protein diet. Vitamins A, C, and E in their diet also contribute to immunity and fin health. Feeding them live insects such as mealworms or BSF larvae two to three times a week is one of the best ways to naturally enhance color and vitality.
Feeding Gouramis is an art that combines nutrition, observation, and routine. A varied diet—combining pellets, live insects, dried worms, and vegetables—ensures that your Gouramis stay healthy, active, and beautiful. Always focus on feeding clean, high-quality food in the right amount and maintain a proper feeding schedule. With the right balance of protein and plant matter, your Gouramis will show bright colors, smooth fins, and lively swimming behavior.
At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.
Our speciality is premium live and dried insect-based feeds like mealworms, superworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, and hornworms. These insects are grown on an organic diet, making them a nutritious and tasty treat for your pets.
Check out our "Shop" section to find the perfect food for your pets!
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