From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Pearl Gourami
Trichopodus leerii
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
- pH
- 5.5 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 110 L
- Lifespan
- 6 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Trichopodus leerii |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 12.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | Very little selective breeding has been done, which is unusual for a fish this long-established in the trade — and a good thing, because the wild pattern is the appeal. Occasional selected lines are offered for heavier pearling or stronger red in the males, but no named strain is established. There is no albino, no long-finned form and no colour morph in general circulation. Natural variation exists between populations, and males vary a great deal with age and condition — an old, settled, well-fed male in a planted tank is a far more impressive fish than anything in a shop tank. Several relatives are sold alongside it and are worth telling apart. The three spot or blue gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) is a similar size but distinctly more aggressive, and comes in gold, opaline and blue strains. The moonlight gourami (T. microlepis) is a plain silvery species of comparable temperament. The snakeskin gourami (T. pectoralis) is larger again. Among the smaller anabantoids, the honey gourami is the calm nano-sized option and the dwarf gourami carries the iridovirus problem — the pearl sits between them and avoids both issues. |
| Lifespan: | 6 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low to medium
- Min Tank:110 L
- Substrate:Dark substrate; tall plants and floating cover; calm surface
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Low (gentle flow; surface air access)
Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is a species of fish in the family Osphronemidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo). The pearl gourami is the one to buy if you want a gourami that is actually peaceful. Specialists call it one of the most peaceful gouramis and an excellent community fish, which is not a description that fits most of the family. It comes from the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, and reaches 120 mm standard length — a substantial fish next to a dwarf or honey gourami, and one that carries the size well. The body is a soft lavender-brown scattered with pearlescent white spots, cut by a ragged dark line running from the snout to the tail. In breeding condition the male's throat and breast turn a deep orange-red that lights up the whole front of the fish. It is also remarkably tolerant: 24–30 °C (75–86 °F), pH 5.5–8.0, hardness anywhere from 2 to 30 dGH. Almost no tap water is wrong for it. Like all anabantoids it breathes air, and it uses threadlike pelvic fins as feelers.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- top
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- Yes — keep away from nippers
Species similar to Pearl Gourami
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