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November 23, 2009
Freshwater Fish
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Gold Gourami
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Gold Gourami
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The Gold Gourami is a color variation of the Blue Gourami that is a deep orange with lighter orange shading. The Gold Gourami also has rust colored markings and is lacking the "spots" of the Blue Gourami.

Gold Gouramis are considered labyrinth fish, meaning that although they are equipped with gills, they also have a special organ which allows them to also breathe directly from the air. As a result, they must have access to the surface of the water in the aquarium.

This gourami is a rather peaceful fish that is very comical to watch as a juvenile. The Gold Gourami can be housed with a variety of tank mates that are of similar size and temperament. While males can be territorial with each other, they become timid around other, more aggressive fish. The ideal tank setup would be an aquarium of a minimum of 20 gallons which has plenty of live plants as well as rocks and driftwood for use as hiding places.

The best way to differentiate between the male and female Gold Gourami is by the dorsal fin. In the male, the dorsal fin is long and pointed, while the female's is shorter and rounded. When ready to breed, the male builds a bubblenest and then begins to entice the female by swimming back and forth, flaring his fins and raising his tail. When this behavior is noticed, the water level should be reduced to 6 inches. After spawning, the female should be removed to a separate aquarium as the male may become aggressive toward her. The male will tend to the eggs until they hatch, and after hatching, there should be frequent water changes, especially during the third week, as this is when the labyrinth organ is developing. The fry should be fed infusoria and nauplii.

The Gold Gourami is an omnivore and requires both algae-based foods as well as meaty foods. An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp will provide this fish with the proper nutrition.

Ideal tank mates include: Guppies, Platies, Mollies, Swordtails, Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Rainbowfish, Barbs, Loaches, Plecos and Scavenger Catfish.

Fish Facts
Name: Gold Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)
Family: Belontiidae
Range: South China Sea; Malaysia
Size: Up to 6 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Freshwater: Densely planted, rocks, driftwood
Tank Conditions: 72-82°F; pH 6.0-8.8; dH 5-35
Minimum Tank Capacity: 20 gallons
Light: Medium
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swimming Level: Top to middle
Care Level: Easy
Reproduction: Egg Layer — Bubblenest Builder
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Picture(s): Courtesy of Drs. Foster and Smith |
Information provided courtesy of PetEducation.com

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