Dwarf Gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Gouramis breathe air from the surface with a special labyrinth organ and "taste" their world with thread-like fins.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 7 cm, lives near the surface and needs 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.8 and an aquarium of at least 40 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–29 °C (75–84 °F)

pH

6.0–7.8

Adult size

7 cm (2.8 in)

Aquarium

40 L or bigger (11 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Top

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Slow rivers of India & Bangladesh

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Bristlenose Pleco, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Corydoras, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra, Corydoras, Crystal Red Shrimp, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish and 19 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Discus and 17 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Classic uncommon
• Powder Blue uncommon
• Flame rare

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.4 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.