Honey Gourami - Trichogaster chuna

Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)

The Honey Gourami is a peaceful, colourful freshwater labyrinth fish admired for its warm honey-yellow to orange tones, gentle nature and suitability for calm planted aquariums. Smaller and less aggressive than many larger gourami species, it is an excellent choice for peaceful community tanks, especially where soft planting, floating cover and calm surface areas are provided. This species is best kept in a mature aquarium with stable water quality and carefully chosen tankmates.

Common Name:
Honey Gourami, Honey Dwarf Gourami, Sunset Honey Gourami, Red Honey Gourami

Scientific Name (Latin):
Trichogaster chuna

Older / Trade Name:
Colisa chuna

Maximum Size:
Approximately 4–5 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Honey Gourami originates from South Asia, including river systems in India and Bangladesh.

In the wild, it is associated with slow-moving or still waters, floodplains, ditches, ponds, heavily vegetated margins and shallow areas with plenty of plant cover.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature planted setup with floating plants, gentle flow, shaded areas and calm access to the surface.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle preferred
Surface Access: Required, as this is a labyrinth fish

Temperament:
Peaceful

Honey Gouramis are one of the more peaceful gourami species and are suitable for calm community aquariums.

Males may display to one another or defend a small area during breeding, but they are usually much less aggressive than larger gouramis.

They should not be kept with boisterous, aggressive or fin-nipping tankmates.

Diet:
Omnivore / Small Community Diet

Honey Gouramis are easy to feed once settled.

Offer quality tropical flakes, small floating pellets, micro granules and colour-enhancing foods as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae.

A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and breeding behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 45–60 litres for a single fish or compatible pair

Larger aquariums are recommended for groups or community setups.

Provide plants, floating cover and visual breaks so weaker fish can avoid attention if needed.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Honey Gourami spends much of its time in the upper and middle areas of the aquarium.

It will regularly visit the surface to breathe air using its labyrinth organ.

Males may show stronger colour when settled and may build bubble nests among floating plants or sheltered surface areas.

Community Suitability:
Peaceful Community Fish

The Honey Gourami is ideal for peaceful planted aquariums and calm community setups.

Suitable tankmates include small rasboras, peaceful tetras, pencilfish, small corydoras, otocinclus, kuhli loaches, peaceful shrimp with caution and other gentle community fish.

Avoid aggressive fish, fin-nippers, large cichlids, boisterous barbs, male Bettas and very active fish that may stress them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in a mature aquarium with stable water quality and gentle water movement.

Floating plants, tall background plants and shaded areas help this species feel secure.

Avoid strong surface turbulence, as Honey Gouramis prefer calm areas near the surface.

Provide surface access at all times, as they breathe atmospheric air.

A secure lid is recommended, and the air above the water should not be too cold, especially in cooler rooms.

Pairs or groups should be monitored, as males may display or become territorial during breeding.

If breeding occurs, males may build bubble nests and guard the nest area.

Regular small water changes and a varied diet will help maintain health and colour.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Common, with availability depending on supplier, sex and colour form.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.