Lavender Gourami - Trichopodus trichopterus var.

Lavender Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus var.)

The Lavender Gourami is a beautiful captive-bred colour form of the Three Spot Gourami, admired for its soft lavender-blue body tone, elegant shape and flowing thread-like pelvic fins. This hardy labyrinth fish is well suited to mature tropical aquariums with plants, open swimming space and calm areas near the surface. It is generally peaceful when young, but adults can become territorial, so tank size, tankmates and stocking should be planned carefully.

Common Name:
Lavender Gourami, Three Spot Gourami, Blue Gourami, Opaline Gourami, Three-spot Gourami

Scientific Name (Latin):
Trichopodus trichopterus var.

Older / Trade Name:
Trichogaster trichopterus

Strain / Form:
Lavender captive-bred colour form

Maximum Size:
Approximately 12–15 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Wild Trichopodus trichopterus are native to Southeast Asia, including lowland river systems, floodplains, swamps, canals, ponds and heavily vegetated slow-moving waters.

The Lavender Gourami is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild colour form.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature tropical setup with open swimming space, plants, floating cover, calm surface areas and gentle to moderate flow.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred
Surface Access: Required, as this is a labyrinth fish

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive / Territorial

Lavender Gouramis can be peaceful in suitable community aquariums, but mature individuals, especially males, may become territorial.

Males may chase other gouramis or similar-shaped fish, particularly in smaller aquariums or during breeding behaviour.

They are best kept with calm but robust community fish that will not nip their fins or compete aggressively at the surface.

Diet:
Omnivore / Community Diet

Lavender Gouramis are easy to feed and accept a wide range of foods.

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

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

Include some vegetable-based foods or spirulina foods to support overall condition.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 120 litres for a single adult or compatible pair

Larger aquariums are recommended for community setups, multiple gouramis or mixed semi-aggressive communities.

Provide plants, floating cover and visual barriers to reduce territorial behaviour.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Lavender 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 display by spreading their fins, intensifying colour and defending an area of the aquarium, especially if bubble-nesting behaviour occurs.

Community Suitability:
Semi-Aggressive Community Fish

The Lavender Gourami is suitable for mature tropical community aquariums with carefully selected tankmates.

Suitable tankmates include larger peaceful tetras, rasboras, danios, rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, bristlenose plecos, corydoras, loaches with care and other robust community fish.

Avoid fin-nippers, very timid nano fish, aggressive cichlids, male Bettas, delicate long-finned fish and other territorial gouramis in small aquariums.

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

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

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

Floating plants and tall background plants help provide cover and reduce stress.

Avoid strong surface turbulence, as this species prefers calmer surface areas.

Do not overcrowd males or mix too many similar gouramis in smaller tanks.

If breeding, males build bubble nests and may become very protective of the nesting area.

Regular water changes and a varied diet will help maintain colour, fin quality and overall health.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Common to occasional, depending on supplier and colour strain.

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.