One of the most popular types of Gourami to keep in a freshwater aquarium is Dwarf Gourami, which grows up to 5 inches (12 cm) long. However, there are many other types of Gourami that can grow much bigger.
Here is a list of Gourami species, the length they can reach and which type of fish tank should be used for them. All sizes are males unless otherwise stated.
Dwarf Gourami
Males up to 3 inches (8 cm). Females only slightly longer. This fish is very peaceful and can live in a community tank. Minimum of 10 gallons (38 liters), but 15 gallons (57 liters) or more is better.
Giant Gourami
Males up to 9 inches (23 cm). Females only slightly longer. This fish needs a lot of space and needs to be kept in a very large tank with other peaceful, non-aggressive fish. Minimum 200 gallons (758 liters).
Honey Gourami
Males up to 4 inches (10 cm), females slightly longer. This Gourami is very peaceful and can live in a community tank with other non-aggressive fish. Minimum of 20 gallons (75 liters) for one Honey Gourami, but 25 gallons (95 liters) or more is better.
Pearl Gourami
Males only slightly longer, females slightly longer. This fish needs a lot of space and needs to be kept in a very large tank with other peaceful, non-aggressive fish. Minimum 200 gallons (758 liters).
Three Spot Gourami
Males up to 4 inches (10 cm), females slightly longer. This fish needs a lot of space and needs to be kept in a very large tank with other peaceful, non-aggressive fish. Minimum 200 gallons (758 liters).
Sparkling Gourami
Males up to 5 inches (12 cm), females only slightly longer. This fish is very peaceful and can live in a community tank with other non-aggressive fish. Minimum of 10 gallons (38 liters), but 15 gallons (57 liters) or more is better.
What Size Tank Does a Gourami Need?
The larger the tank, the better. The minimum size tanks mentioned above are only what you should start with and give your Gourami a chance to thrive in their new home. They will be happier and healthier if they have as much room as possible for swimming and exploring.
Gourami Risks: Fish Tank Size
Fish that grow bigger than the tank they live in can damage or break their tank. Gourami are usually not a problem with this, as they stay smaller than the tank size and don’t move very fast (which would cause more risk of them banging against the tank).
However, you should avoid putting two males in a small aquarium together because if they flare up and fight, they may hit the glass. Males will also flare when in front of a mirror, which should be removed to avoid this problem.
Gourami Risks: Surface Tension
If you keep your Gourami in a small tank for too long (more than 6 months), the surface tension of the water will become too high for the Gourami. This can cause several health problems (such as difficulty breathing), which will be fatal if not fixed.
To lower the surface tension of your Gourami tank, you should get an air pump and an air stone. The air stone should be placed in the corner of the tank so that it doesn’t get in the way of the Gourami. The air pump will keep the surface of the water moving, which will lower the surface tension.
Gourami Risks: Male/Female Ratio
You should only have one male Dwarf Gourami per tank. Some people say that a ratio of 2 females to 1 male is okay, but this can cause problems depending on the personality of your Gourami. Males are very aggressive towards females, so if you have more than 1 male per tank, they will probably fight to the death.
The same applies for Giant Gouramis – do not keep two males in a small tank together or one male with several females. The males will fight to the death.
Gourami Risks: Other Types of Gourami
Different types of Gourami can be kept together, but it depends on what species and the male/female ratio. Some species get along fine (such as the three Spot and Sparkling), while others cannot be kept together (such as Honey, Pearl, etc).
Gourami Risks: Disease and Parasites
Some species of Gourami are difficult to keep healthy. These include the Honey Gourami, Dwarf Gourami (especially when it is dark), and Giant/Colisa Gouramis. Always research before buying any new fish, but especially with these ones because they are harder to keep healthy.
Final Thoughts:
The Gourami is a very healthy fish that has little risk of disease if kept in the proper conditions. They are very peaceful and fun to watch but need lots of room to swim around. A minimum of 200 gallons (758 liters) is recommended for Sparkling Gouramis and Giant/Colisa Gouramis, and 100 gallons (378 liters) is recommended for the Dwarf Gourami.
They are usually very cheap and can be easily found at most fish stores. This makes them a great fish to introduce in a new hobby or add to an existing tank!