5 Common Types of Gouramis for Freshwater Aquariums

Gouramis are a group of fish that come from Southeast Asia, and many are very popular in the aquarium trade. They are beautiful but complex, and their behaviors can confound beginner and experienced aquarium owners alike.

In this article, you will learn about five of the most common types of gouramis. Hopefully, the information here will help you make the best decision for your tank, and result in a less confounding experience for you and your fish.

As always, my top piece of advice is to learn everything you can about a fish before you bring it home. This helps reduce mistakes and poor stocking decisions, and it is time well spent.

Types of Gouramis Comparison Chart

1. Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf gourmis (Trichogaster Ialius) are one of the smallest fish on this list and among the most beautiful. They come in a range of varieties including powder blue, flame, and honey. They only grow to a few inches as adults and can be a good fish for a 10-gallon tank.

They are relatively peaceful toward other fish, though they might show territorial aggression or aggression toward other anabantids. Good tank mates include small and medium-sized non-aggressive bottom dwellers such as cories, smaller pleco species, livebearers such as guppies, swords, mollies, and platies, and schooling tetras.

How many dwarf gouramis should be kept together?

It is smart to stick with one in most tanks, especially if you are new to fish keeping. Males exhibit many of the same territorial behaviors as their larger cousins, and most dwarf gourami sold in pet stores are male.

How big do dwarf gouramis get?

Expect adults to reach a length of around three inches, though some may get bigger. Males are a bit larger than females.

Are dwarf gouramis hard to keep?

Dwarf gourmi are easy to care for. They can thrive in a wide range of conditions and do well with basic flake foods. If you keep up with with water changes and other smart tank maintenance practices, your fish can live for several years.

2. Three-Spot Gourami

Next up is the three-spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus), named for the dark spots on its sides. You may also hear them referred to as blue or opaline gourami, though they come in a few other color variations as well.

These guys get quite a bit larger than the dwarf species mentioned above, and they can be very territorial. For that reason, it is smart to keep only one, unless you have a large tank where each fish can establish its own space.

How big do three-spot gouarmis get?

They reach an adult length of around six inches. You'll want at least a 30-gallon thank, though 55 is better.

What fish can be kept with three-spot gouramis?

Avoid other gouramis and anabantids. Otherwise, aim for peaceful tank mates such as cories, medium-sized tetras, other schooling fish, small plecos, mollies, and platies.

Is the three-spot gourami a community fish?

In a community tank where it can establish its territory, it can be a fairly calm addition. Though it may chase fish away from its space, three-spot gouramis don’t typically provoke other aquarium inhabitants.

3. Pearl Gourami

The pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is one of the most stunning fish on this list, named for its unique coloration that resembles pearls or diamonds. It grows to an adult size of around five inches, so you’ll want an aquarium 30 gallons or bigger.

Like most gouramis, males may be aggressive toward other males, but otherwise, they can be a peaceful addition to many community tanks. Stock them with calm, peaceful tank mates that won’t bully or intimidate.

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Can pearl gouramis live with betta fish?

While pearls are generally peaceful, I hesitate to put any gourami with a betta fish. If you try it, make sure you have a backup plan in case it doesn’t go well.

How big do pearl gouramis get?

Somewhere between dwarf and three-spot gouramis, pearl gouramis grow to between four and five inches as adults. Females are slightly smaller than males.

Will pearl gouramis eat shrimp?

Many fish see shrimp as prey, and some gouramis very well may make snacks out of them. Individual fish will behave differently, and it is impossible to know for sure, but it is advisable to avoid stocking gouramis with your shrimp unless you don’t mind them becoming lunch.

4. Kissing Gourami

The kissing gourami (Helostoma temminckii) is a fish I remember from my childhood and my parents' flailing attempts at establishing a 10-gallon fish tank. Based on advice from the local pet store, they made some horrible stocking errors. Possibly their most egregious mistake was bringing home a pair of “kissing fish”.

They did this, of course, because they thought it was cute when they “kissed”. Except what we interpret as kissing is a form of sparring, not loving. Kissing grouramis also grow to a maximum size of around a foot, and are wildly inappropriate for a 10-gallon tank.

An early lesson in the importance of researching fish before you buy.

Why do kissing gouramis kiss?

Rival fish “kiss” as a form of fighting, most often to establish dominance between males. It might look like they are in love, but far from it!

Do kissing gouramis eat smaller fish?

Kissing gouramis are large fish and have the potential to reach a foot in length as adults. They often prefer vegetation, but they will certainly get large enough to eat other fish. Big fish eat little fish, and if they can get an easy meal they’ll take it.

Can kissing gouramis live with other fish?

Kissing gourmis may exhibit aggression toward other fish, so tank mates should be chosen with caution. Consider large, semi-aggressive, and peaceful fish, bottom-dwelling catfish, medium-sized livebearers, and schooling fish that grow too large to eat.

5. Paradise Fish

Paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) are small and colorful. While they are easily cared for, they are also extremely aggressive and therefore not a good choice for beginners. Not unlike betta fish, male paradise fish are highly prone to fighting. They may also attack and kill smaller fish in the tank.

Experienced fish keepers may have success with peaceful tank mates such as cory cats, plecos, larger tetras, and some peaceful South American cichlids. However, again like bettas, it is acceptable and often advisable to keep paradise fish in single-specimen setups.

How big do paradise fish get?

Even smaller than dwarf gourami, paradise fish reach an adult length of only 2-3 inches.

Are paradise fish related to betta fish?

They sure are. Bettas, paradise fish, and gourami are all classified within a family called Osphronemidae.

Do paradise fish change color?

Paradise fish can change color when they are stressed. Other factors that may cause them to change color include changes in light, temperature, and their surrounding environment.

Gourami FAQ

Here are a few commonly asked questions about gouramis:

Are gouramis beginner fish?

Dwarf gourami can be a good fish for beginners. Some of the larger types, such as the three-spot and kissing gourami, are best left to intermediate and experienced fish keepers.

Are gouramis aggressive?

Many gourami are semi-aggressive, meaning they can be very aggressive under certain circumstances. They are territorial, and stronger males may attack or bully weaker males to the point of death.

Are gouramis hard to care for?

Gouramis are easy to care for, as long as you understand their needs and the potential for conflict. As always, it is important to learn as much as you can before you bring a fish home.

Can gouramis live in a community tank?

Many gourami species can live with other fish in a community tank, as long as you know what to expect and follow a few simple rules. Don’t keep two males together unless you have a huge tank, avoid aggressive tank mates, and make sure there are plenty of hiding spots.

Can you eat gouramis?

While I do not advise eating gouramis, or any other fish from your aquarium for that matter, people do eat them in their native regions. Especially the giant gourmi (Osphronemus goramy), which can grow to over 2 feet long.

Gourami Care Tips

No matter which of the above species you feel is a good fit for your aquarium, there are a few rules you can follow to make your fish (and yourself) feel calm and secure.

• Unless you are experienced at keeping fish or have a very large aquarium (75 gallons or bigger) consider keeping only one gourami. Those sold in most pet stores are usually male, and males tend to show aggression with each other.
• Consider dense vegetation, with real or artificial plants. This gives fish places to hide and breaks up some of the lines of sight for territorial fish.
• Don’t keep gouramis with other anabantids such as betta fish or African bush fish. They are too similar, and males of each species often conflict.
• Make sure your fish have access to the water surface. Gouramis are capable of breathing air when they need to, so don't deny them this.
• Remember, there are differences between various types of gouramis. Make sure you know what you are getting when you purchase a fish.

Good luck!

References and Further Reading

• Gourami | Britannica.com
• Giant Gourami | usgs.gov
• Order Anabaniformes | The ETYFish Project

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.