Honey gourami

The honey gourami comes from the densely vegetated, sluggish waters of the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in northern India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Wild-caught specimens are rare in the trade — virtually all are commercially bred. It is a small labyrinth fish, reaching about 5.5 cm, and one of the best choices for a beginner who wants a gourami that stays peaceful and manageable.

In breeding dress, the male transforms into a breathtaking sight: the body and gill plates turn a deep honey-orange while the head and chest become dark blue to black. Females stay brownish with a dark lateral stripe. Selectively bred 'red', 'sunset' and 'golden' strains do not show this dramatic colour change but carry the same undemanding nature.

Honey gouramis need a well-planted tank with floating plants, gentle filtration (an air-driven sponge filter is ideal) and a tight-fitting lid because they must access the humid air layer above the surface for their labyrinth organ to function. A 60 × 30 cm base (54 litres) suits a pair or small group. Keep the water at 22–27 °C and pH 6.0–7.5.

They are primarily insectivorous. In nature they reportedly spit water droplets to knock insects off overhanging leaves. In the aquarium they need small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia and bloodworm alongside quality dried products. They are slow-moving and easily outcompeted at feeding time, so tankmates must be chosen carefully — peaceful cyprinids and Pangio loaches work well, while boisterous or aggressive species do not.

The species is a bubblenester that forms temporary pair bonds. The male builds a nest of bubbles without plant material, guards the eggs (which hatch in 24–36 hours) and should be removed once the fry are free-swimming. Fry are tiny and need infusoria or liquid food for the first week.