Pearl gourami
(Trichopodus leerii)
Many thanks to Kyllian!
Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Trichopodus leerii
Trichogaster leerii since 1991
Trichopodus leerii since 2013
Common name
Pearl gourami
Diamond gourami
Mosaic gourami
Origin
Origin:Thailand and Indonesia
Biotope: Asian
Dimorphism
The male has an orange spot in the throat and its anal fin is also longer than that of the female
Group
Osphronemidae
Volume
200 L / 44 imp gal / 53 US gal
Parameters
T°: 23 to 29°C or 73 to 84°F
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: 5 to 16°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Size
9 to 12 cm (3.5 to 4.7")
Longevity
3 to 6 years
Living zone
Top
Individuals
2
Food
How to feed the Gourami?
Food
How to feed the Gourami?
The Pearl Gourami is omnivorous with insectivorous tendency.
Its basic diet will consist of flakes or granules. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary its power supply. Thus, you can offer live or frozen prey 2 to 3 times a week (cyclops, artemia, daphnia or even bloodworms).
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Gourami have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Gourami have?
They are peaceful and calm fishes. They like to be under surface plants and will spend most of their time in this area.
If the Pearl Gourami ends up with fish that are too restless and active, it may be timid and fearful.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Gourami?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Gourami?
Pay attention to the number of males held in the same aquarium: for a 200 liters (50 gal) aquarium, only one male and one or two females will suffice. Indeed, the cohabitation between males is delicate. Conflicts will appear, and even if there are no fights, there will be more intimidation between them, and it imposes on them a constant rivalry quite stressful.
In addition, cohabitation with other surface species is to be avoided. The Pearl Gourami, very calm by nature, could also be disturbed by fish too lively and restless (bearded, molly, guppy...). Add calm fish not living on the surface instead.
Apart from these few exceptions, relations with other species will go very well.
Breeding
How to breed the Gourami?
Breeding
How to breed the Gourami?
Ideally, plan a small 45 liters (12 gal) aquarium with substrate (preferably dark). It must be planted well so that the vegetation serves as a refuge for future fry.
As for the Blue Gourami, the male Pearl Gourami will prepare a bubble nest that will float to the surface. Once this nest is finished, it will attract the female who will lay from 200 to 1000 eggs. This may seem like a lot, but do not worry because many eggs will not be fertilized and many small fry will never reach adulthood.
After egg-laying, remove the female from the breeding tank. Indeed, the male who keeps the nest will become aggressive with it and chase it. It will take full care of the eggs, paying attention if an egg does not fall from the bubble nest.
Subsequently, after 2 days, the eggs will hatch. 4 days after laying, the fry will start to swim freely and leave the nest. It will be time to remove the male.
Fry food: nauplies of artemia, infusoria.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Gourami?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Gourami?
If you are preparing an aquarium for a pair of Pearl Gourami, the presence of floating plants will be a mandatory (mixture of floating and Egeria, Cerato, Hydrocotyle that is allowed to float). This plants will be absolutely necessary for the wellbeing of the fish because it will allow it to shelter under the shade of plants: it will be all the more reassured and serene.
Leave enough room for swimming. For example, you can opt for a «C» shaped plantation.
As for the Blue Gourami, the Pearl Gourami does not like aquariums with too much current, especially on the surface where they live. Indeed, too much current will be detrimental to the Gourami, because it will constantly ask it to make efforts to fight against the current, and this every day, 24/24. To avoid this, you can direct the flow of the filter outlet to the wall of the aquarium to «break» the current, and / or place the cane of rejection a little lower in the aquarium (while ensuring a slight mixing on the surface, essential for gas exchange). Thus the current will be less strong, which will promote the well-being of your little Pearl Gourami!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
In nature, the Pearl Gourami lives in stagnant waters, so very calm waters and little oxygen. In order to survive under these conditions, it developed an additional breathing organ: the Labyrinth. This organ allows it to breathe air on the surface when necessary.
We can recognize the male with its beautiful orange throat. The female may also have this characteristic but much less developed. The orange spot will be duller and less extensive in the female.
When fry grow, there can be a big difference in growth.
Fish easy enough for beginners (robust, ease of feeding and water parameters, uninteresting breeding...), of course in a 200 liters (50 gal) aquarium.
Yours photos!
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