Honey gourami
Trichogaster chuna
easy careOverview
The honey gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is a small, warm-coloured labyrinth fish and the ideal gourami for a first community tank. Peaceful, hardy and far less disease-prone than its cousin the dwarf gourami, it glows a soft honey-gold — deeper in displaying males. Calm and slightly shy, it settles beautifully into a planted tank and is an excellent beginner fish.
Tank & water
Small and undemanding, a honey gourami is content in 60 litres (15 gallons) or more, planted and calm.
- Temperature: hold 22–28 °C with a reliable heater.
- Filtration & flow: a gentle filter is best; as a labyrinth fish it breathes at the surface, so keep flow soft and leave an air gap under the lid.
- Water: pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard, stable and clean.
- Planting: floating plants and dense cover help this shy fish feel secure and colour up.
Feeding
Honey gouramis are omnivores with small mouths. Feed a quality flake, micro-pellet or gourami food once or twice daily, plus frozen or freeze-dried daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp. In the wild they pick tiny invertebrates from plants, so small live and frozen foods are eagerly taken. Feed modest amounts — see best fish food.
Tankmates
Genuinely peaceful, the honey gourami suits calm community tanks. Great companions include small rasboras, tetras, cherry barbs, corydoras and dwarf shrimp. Avoid fin-nippers and fast, greedy fish that outcompete this gentle feeder.
Common care notes
- The easiest, hardiest beginner gourami
- Keep flow gentle and leave a surface air gap
- Peaceful enough for pairs or small groups
- Provide floating plants for security and colour
Undemanding, peaceful and softly glowing, the honey gourami is the labyrinth fish to start with — and one you can keep for years.
Honey gourami — frequently asked questions
Is the honey gourami good for beginners?
Yes — it is the most beginner-friendly gourami. It stays small, is genuinely peaceful, and is hardier and less disease-prone than the dwarf gourami. Given a calm, planted tank with a gentle surface, it is an easy, rewarding fish.
Do honey gouramis need to breathe air?
Yes. Like all gouramis they are labyrinth fish that gulp air at the surface, so leave a small air gap under the lid and keep filter flow gentle. A calm surface is important for their comfort.
Can I keep more than one honey gourami?
Yes. Unlike some gouramis they are peaceful enough to keep as a pair or a small group in a planted tank. Males show only mild territoriality, and plenty of cover keeps everything harmonious.
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