Honey Gourami

The Honey Gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish perfect for small community aquariums. Named for the males' beautiful golden-honey coloration, these tiny gouramis (2.5 inches max) are ideal for 10+ gallon planted tanks. Unlike their often-aggressive cousin the Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gouramis are genuinely peaceful and can be kept in pairs or small groups without constant fighting. They are hardy, easy to care for, and display stunning color changes - males turn bright honey-gold with a turquoise underside and black throat when breeding, while females remain silvery. Honey Gouramis are excellent for beginners wanting a colorful centerpiece fish in smaller tanks where larger gouramis won't fit.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Honey Gouramis are perfect for small tanks:

• Minimum 10 gallons for one or pair (20+ recommended for groups)
• Taller tanks appreciated - they use all levels
• Sponge filter or gentle hang-on-back
• Heater to maintain 72-82°F
• Lid essential - need humid air for labyrinth organ
• Heavily planted - floating plants especially important
• Driftwood and hiding spots
• Dark substrate shows off colors

Important: Like all gouramis, they need access to humid air at the surface. Keep tank well-covered or water level lower.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft (5-12 dGH)
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <30 ppm

Maintenance:

• Weekly 20% water changes
• Hardy and adaptable
• Keep water level consistent
• Perfect for beginners

Labyrinth Organ

Must breathe air at surface:

• Surface access: Critical for survival
• Humid air: Space between water and lid must be humid
• Gulping air: You’ll see them take air at surface regularly
• Development: Fry develop labyrinth at 2-3 weeks

Warning: Without humid air access, they will suffocate.

Feeding

Honey Gouramis have small mouths:

• Micro pellets or crushed flakes as staple
• Frozen foods: baby brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms
• Live foods: occasional baby brine shrimp
• Vegetables: finely crushed spirulina

Feeding Schedule: 2 times daily, tiny amounts.

Note: They are shy feeders initially. Make sure food reaches them before faster fish.

Behavior & Compatibility

Very peaceful small fish:

• Good Tank Mates:

  • Small tetras (Ember, Neon, Cardinal)
  • Small rasboras
  • Corydoras
  • Small plecos
  • Cherry Shrimp
  • Guppies
  • Platies
  • Other peaceful small fish

• Avoid With:

  • Large predatory fish
  • Aggressive fish
  • Fin nippers
  • Fast fish that outcompete for food
  • Goldfish

Behavior: Peaceful, slow-moving, spend time at all levels but often near surface.

Breeding

Bubble nest builders:

• Bubble nest: Male builds at surface
• Color change: Male turns intense honey-gold with black throat when breeding
• Spawning: Under bubble nest
• Parental care: Male guards eggs and fry
• Fry food: Infusoria, then baby brine shrimp
• Difficulty: Moderate - fry are tiny

Note: One of the easier gouramis to breed. Color display during breeding is spectacular.

Color Changes

Males transform when breeding:

• Normal: Pale gold or silver
• Breeding: Bright honey-gold body, turquoise underside, black throat
• Females: Stay silvery, may darken slightly
• Intensity: Color depends on mood, water quality, and diet

Health Considerations

Generally very hardy:

• Ich: Treatable
• Bloat: From overeating
• Generally robust: Few health issues

Advantage over Dwarf Gourami: Not plagued by inbreeding issues and Dwarf Gourami Disease that affects Trichogaster lalius.

Size Considerations

Small gourami species:

• Adult size: 2-2.5 inches
• Sexual dimorphism: Males more colorful, especially when breeding
• Lifespan: 4-6 years

Appearance

Beautiful coloration:

• Males: Honey-gold to bright orange body, turquoise ventral area
• Breeding males: Intense honey color with black throat patch
• Females: Silvery with faint gold wash
• Fins: Often edged in orange or red
• Ventrals: Thread-like sensory fins
• Lateral stripe: Subtle dark line

Tank Maintenance

• Weekly 20% water changes
• Maintain consistent water level for labyrinth
• Gentle filter maintenance
• Remove uneaten food
• Trim floating plants if they cover too much surface

Tips for Success

• Lid absolutely essential for humid air
• Keep in pairs or small groups (unlike aggressive Dwarf Gourami)
• Provide floating plants for security
• Perfect for small planted tanks (10+ gallons)
• Shy initially - give them time to adjust
• Feed small foods appropriate for their mouth size
• Choose peaceful, similarly-sized tankmates
• Hardy and forgiving for beginners
• Males display stunning colors when breeding
• Better choice than Dwarf Gourami for small tanks

Comparison to Dwarf Gourami

• Honey: Smaller (2.5”), peaceful, can keep pairs/groups, no inbreeding issues
• Dwarf: Larger (3.5”), aggressive males fight, often sick from inbreeding
• Honey better for: Small tanks, beginners, peaceful communities

Perfect for Small Tanks

Ideal centerpiece for 10-20 gallons:

• Size appropriate: Won’t outgrow small tanks
• Peaceful: Can have pair or trio
• Beautiful: Males show stunning colors
• Hardy: Forgiving of beginner mistakes
• Interactive: Recognize owners and beg for food

Why Better Than Dwarf Gourami

• Peaceful nature: Can keep multiple together
• Hardiness: Not affected by Dwarf Gourami Disease
• Size: Better for smaller tanks
• Reliability: Consistently healthy unlike often-sick Dwarfs
• Beauty: Color change during breeding is spectacular