Pearl gourami

The pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is a stunning labyrinth fish native to the lowland swamps of Thailand, Malaysia, and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, where it inhabits slow-moving, often acidic waters rich in vegetation. Reaching up to 12 cm (4.7 in) in length, it displays an elongated, laterally compressed body covered in a characteristic pearl-like pattern of iridescent spots against a brownish-silver background, with a dark horizontal stripe running from the snout through the eye to the tail fin. Males develop vibrant orange-red throat and chest coloration during breeding and possess elongated dorsal and anal fin rays, while females remain plainer and rounder-bodied.

Pearl gouramis rank among the most peaceful members of the gourami family and thrive in well-planted community aquariums of at least 100 L (26 gal) with floating vegetation, shaded areas, and open swimming zones. As labyrinth fish they require access to the water surface without strong surface disturbance. Water conditions should be maintained at 24-30C (75-86F), pH 5.5-8.0, and general hardness 2-30 dH. They accept a wide variety of foods including quality flakes, slow-sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, and live insects.

Males are territorial toward one another and may be persistent with females during courtship, so ample cover and tank space are essential. Pearl gouramis are bubble-nest builders: the male constructs a large nest among floating plants, courts the female beneath it, and wraps his body around hers in the traditional anabantoid embrace to fertilize the eggs. A single spawning produces 200-300 eggs, which the male guards until hatching at 20-30 hours, with fry becoming free-swimming after another 4-5 days. With proper care these hardy fish can live 8 years or more and are valued for consuming pest hydra in the planted aquarium.