How to Care for Spotted Gourami?

mktpromeal
6 hours ago
5 min read

The Spotted Gourami, also known as the Three-spot Gourami, is a beautiful and peaceful freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, found mainly in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It is easily recognizable by its metallic silver-blue body and two dark spots, with the third “spot” being its eye. This species is part of the Labyrinth fish family, meaning it can breathe oxygen directly from the air using a special organ called the labyrinth organ. Because of this, the Spotted Gourami can survive in low-oxygen environments where other fish might struggle. Its gentle personality, hardiness, and attractive appearance make it a favorite choice for beginner and experienced aquarists alike.

Popular Types of Freshwater Gourami

Spotted Gourami (Three-spot Gourami) – Silver-blue body with two black spots; hardy and easy to keep.
Dwarf Gourami – Small, colorful, peaceful; great for small tanks.
Pearl Gourami – Beautiful pearl-like spots and orange throat; calm and elegant.
Blue Gourami – Solid light-blue color; active and adaptable.
Gold Gourami – Golden-yellow variant; bright and bold in appearance.
Moonlight Gourami – Silvery sheen that glows like moonlight; very peaceful.
Honey Gourami – Small, golden-orange fish; friendly and gentle nature.
Kissing Gourami – Known for “kissing” behavior; medium to large, semi-aggressive.
Giant Gourami – Very large species; intelligent and long-living aquarium giant.

Ideal Tank Setup and Water Conditions

A suitable tank setup is the first step toward keeping your Spotted Gourami healthy and stress-free. A minimum of 30 gallons (around 115 liters) is recommended for a pair of adult Gouramis, and 40–50 gallons (150–190 liters) if you plan to keep a small group. These fish enjoy open swimming space with plenty of plants and hiding spots.

The ideal temperature should range between 24°C and 28°C, with a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5, and soft to moderately hard water (4–15 dGH). They prefer calm waters, so always use a gentle filter or sponge filter to avoid strong currents. Decorate the aquarium with live plants like Anubias, Java Fern, and Hornwort to provide cover and replicate their natural habitat. Floating plants such as Water Lettuce can help diffuse light and create shaded areas. Keep the tank covered to maintain humidity, but leave a small air gap at the top because these fish need to gulp air using their labyrinth organ.

Diet and Feeding Routine

Spotted Gouramis are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant-based and protein-rich foods. In the wild, their diet consists of small insects, crustaceans, and algae. To keep them healthy in captivity, provide a varied diet that mimics their natural feeding habits. The staple food can be high-quality flakes or pellets, supplemented with live or dried insects such as mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, or bloodworms for extra protein.

You can also offer frozen foods like brine shrimp or tubifex worms, along with blanched vegetables such as peas, cucumber, or spinach for fiber. Feed them 2–3 times a day in small portions that they can finish within two minutes. Overfeeding leads to bloating and dirty water, so always remove uneaten food. A balanced mix of live, dried, and plant-based food will improve their color, strengthen immunity, and keep them active.

Behavior and Tank Mates

Spotted Gouramis are mostly peaceful and make excellent community fish, but males can sometimes become territorial, especially during breeding season. They are mid-to-top level swimmers and enjoy exploring plants and hiding areas. To prevent aggression, maintain a ratio of one male to two females — this keeps the tank peaceful and avoids fights among males.

For tank mates, choose calm and similarly sized fish such as Tetras, Mollies, Platies, Rasboras, and Corydoras catfish. These species live harmoniously with Gouramis. Avoid keeping them with aggressive or fin-nipping fish like Tiger Barbs, Bettas, or large Cichlids, as they can injure the Gourami’s delicate fins. Providing plenty of space and visual barriers through plants helps reduce stress and territorial behavior.

Health and Tank Maintenance

Healthy water and consistent maintenance are the keys to keeping your Spotted Gourami in good condition. Change 20–25% of the water every week to remove waste and maintain cleanliness. Regularly check the temperature, pH, and ammonia levels, and clean the substrate to prevent harmful bacteria buildup.

Common diseases include Ich (white spot disease), Fin Rot, and Bloating. Ich appears as white spots on the body and fins, usually caused by sudden temperature changes or poor hygiene. Fin Rot is a bacterial infection that causes frayed fins and can be prevented with clean water and good diet. Bloating or swim bladder problems are often due to overfeeding; a quick remedy is feeding boiled peas and fasting your fish for a day. Maintaining good water quality, avoiding overfeeding, and offering live insects weekly help prevent these issues naturally.

Breeding Spotted Gouramis

Breeding Spotted Gouramis is simple and fascinating to watch. The male builds a bubble nest at the water surface, which he uses to protect the eggs. To encourage breeding, set up a separate 25-gallon (95-liter) tank with a temperature around 28°C and add floating plants like duckweed or water lettuce to support nest building.

When ready, the male will court the female and wrap around her during spawning. The female lays eggs, which float up into the nest, and the male guards them fiercely. Once spawning is complete, remove the female immediately to prevent her from being attacked. The eggs hatch within 24–36 hours, and fry become free-swimming after 3–4 days. At this stage, remove the male as well and start feeding the fry with infusoria or liquid fry food. After a week, you can offer baby brine shrimp or microworms for faster growth.

Tips for Keeping Spotted Gouramis Happy

To ensure your Gouramis live long and healthy lives, maintain a calm and stable environment. Avoid placing the tank in noisy or high-traffic areas, as these fish prefer peace. Keep the aquarium covered but with a small air gap for breathing. Stick to a regular feeding and lighting schedule, as sudden changes can stress them.

Add plenty of live plants for natural shelter and enrichment, and avoid overcrowding. Give them occasional treats of Promeal live or dried insects like mealworms or BSF larvae to satisfy their hunting instinct and improve nutrition. Regular observation is important — a healthy Gourami will display bright colors, open fins, and smooth, calm movement. If they appear dull, lethargic, or lose appetite, check water parameters immediately.

The Spotted Gourami is a graceful, intelligent, and low-maintenance fish that brings elegance and peace to any aquarium. Their calm nature, beautiful coloration, and adaptability make them ideal for beginners and hobbyists alike. With a proper tank setup, balanced diet, and routine maintenance, they can live up to 6–8 years in captivity.

By providing live insect-based food occasionally, maintaining clean water, and ensuring a stress-free environment, your Spotted Gouramis will remain active, colorful, and healthy — a true gem in your aquatic family.

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