Sunset Gourami - Trichogaster Labiosa

Sunset Gourami (Trichogaster labiosa)

The Sunset Gourami is a peaceful and colourful freshwater labyrinth fish, prized for its warm orange, gold and red sunset-style colouration. It is a captive-bred form of the Thick-Lipped Gourami, a species known for being calmer and generally more suitable for community aquariums than many dwarf gourami varieties. With its gentle swimming style, attractive colour and surface-breathing behaviour, the Sunset Gourami makes a lovely feature fish for a mature planted aquarium with calm tank mates.

Common Name:
Sunset Gourami. Also commonly referred to as the Sunset Thick-Lipped Gourami, Orange Thick-Lipped Gourami, Thick-Lipped Gourami or Thicklip Gourami.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Trichogaster labiosa

Maximum Size:
Around 8–9 cm in captivity, making it a medium-sized gourami that still needs good swimming space.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Sunset Gourami is a captive-bred aquarium strain. The wild form of Trichogaster labiosa is native to southern Myanmar, where it is associated with freshwater river habitats. Like other gouramis, it is adapted to slower, calmer waters and has a labyrinth organ that allows it to breathe atmospheric air from the surface.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water

Temperament:
Generally peaceful and suitable for calm community aquariums. Males may become mildly territorial, especially with other male gouramis or during breeding behaviour, so avoid overcrowding or keeping multiple males in small aquariums.

Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, small floating pellets, micro granules, frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. Some vegetable or spirulina-based foods can also be included as part of a balanced diet.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 90–100 litres for a single specimen or pair, with a longer aquarium preferred for mixed community setups.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is a calm mid-to-upper level fish that spends much of its time moving gently through plants, shaded areas and open water. As a labyrinth fish, it must always have access to the water surface to breathe atmospheric air. It appreciates floating plants, gentle flow, planted cover and quieter areas away from strong current. Males may build bubble nests when in breeding condition.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is well suited to peaceful community aquariums with calm tank mates such as rasboras, peaceful tetras, Corydoras, kuhli loaches, small plecos and other non-aggressive species. Avoid fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, very boisterous barbs and overly dominant gouramis that may stress or damage it.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, well-planted aquarium with stable water quality, gentle filtration and access to warm, humid air above the water surface. Avoid strong surface turbulence, as gouramis prefer calmer surface zones. A secure lid is recommended, especially in cooler rooms, as labyrinth fish regularly breathe from the surface and benefit from a warm air layer above the water.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common / occasional in trade, usually as captive-bred stock

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.