I always get excited when I am able to purchase a new fish for my aquarium. Recently, I added a three spot gourami and was happy to learn that they can have a lifespan of up to five years.
However, I was disappointed to learn that there are some things I need to do in order to help ensure their long life. In this blog post, I will be discussing the three spot gourami lifespan and what you can do to help extend it.
Three Spot Gourami Background
The three spot gourami is native to southeast Asia. They are found in habitats such as still or slow moving waters of ponds, canals, and paddy fields. Three spot gouramis grow up to 7 inches long and have an average lifespan of 5 years (although their lifespan can be as high as 10 years).
Three Spot Gourami in the Aquarium
Before you put your three spot gourami in your aquarium, make sure you have all of the necessary equipment. This includes a tank that is at least 30 gallons (although 50 gallons would be ideal), a heater to keep the water temperature constant, and a filtration system. You should also include plenty of hiding places such as driftwood and potted plants.
Once your three spot gourami is in your aquarium, you need to follow a few simple guidelines for feeding and maintaining good water quality. You should feed them small amounts of food multiple times per day so that they can digest it before it starts to rot and pollute the tank.
Make sure you are not overfeeding them. Also, make sure you routinely test the water quality and adjust the temperature as needed. Three spot gouramis prefer water that is around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).
Lifespan
In general, three spot gouramis have a lifespan of 5 years. However, there are some things you can do to help increase their lifespan.
Tips to Increase Three Spot Gourami Lifespan
Keep the water clean:
Remember, three spot gouramis prefer fairly warm water that is between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 30 degrees Celsius). If you are able to maintain these conditions, your three spot gourami will be much more likely to live a long life.
Give them a varied diet:
While you should feed your three spot gourami a high quality pelleted food, make sure to give them other foods. You can also include occasional live prey in their feeding regimen. This will help to ensure that they are getting all of the nutrients they need.
Provide hiding places for them to hide:
Three spot gouramis like to have places where they can get away from the action. Providing plants and driftwood will help them feel secure in their environment.
There is nothing more exciting than adding a new fish to your tank. Unfortunately, it is all too common for people to keep fish that are unsuitable for their tanks.
If you are planning on keeping a three spot gourami, make sure you have the right equipment and plan accordingly. By following the steps above, your three spot gourami will be much more likely to live a long and happy life.
My Experience
Based on my personal experiences, I would say that the three spot gourami lifespan is somewhere between 3 and 8 years (instead of 5). They can live this long if you provide them with a proper diet and environment.
I hope this blog post has helped you better understand the three spot gourami lifespan and what you can do to ensure it is as long as possible. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!