The Blue Gourami: Complete Care Guide, Breeding Tips, and Aquarium Setup

Introduction – Size, Temperament, and Tank Setup

The Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) is a labyrinth fish that grows up to 10-12 cm (3.9 – 4.7 inches) and has an average lifespan of 8 years, though with excellent care, they can live up to 10 years. Native to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, Blue Gouramis are popular for their striking blue coloration, which may intensify depending on their mood and health.

These fish are relatively hardy, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists. However, they do have unique care requirements and preferences, particularly concerning their habitat and tank mates.

Tank Setup:

• Plenty of plants and decorations to provide hiding spots and break up lines of sight. Recommended plants include Cryptocoryne balansae and Rotala wallichii.
• Avoid strong currents; Blue Gouramis prefer calm waters. This is because, in the wild, they inhabit slow-moving streams and swamps.
• Include floating plants like Amazon Frogbit, Lemna minor (Duckweed), and Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce) to provide cover and reduce stress, as well as mimic their natural habitat.
• For breeding, maintain a water level of no more than 30 cm (12 inches). This makes it easier for the male to care for the eggs, as he can easily pick up any that fall to the bottom. An ideal breeding tank height is between 20-30 cm. If breeding is not the goal, a 60 cm (23 inches) water column is perfectly fine.
• A lidless tank is fine if there is a gap of at least 8 cm (3.14 inches) at the top. Blue Gouramis have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air. However, they can jump, especially when excited or startled, so ensuring this gap is important for their safety.

Each adult needs around 50 liters (13 US gallons) of water to thrive. Female Blue Gouramis can be just as aggressive as males, so providing ample hiding spaces is essential to prevent stress and injuries.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 22 to 28°C (71.6 to 82.4°F). Blue Gouramis can tolerate slight temperature fluctuations, as these occur naturally in their wild habitats.

pH: Maintain a stable pH between 6 and 8. For better stability, keep the carbonate hardness between 4 and 6. Blue Gouramis can tolerate a carbonate hardness of up to 11 without any significant impact on their health, making them quite adaptable to varying water conditions.

Hardness: General water hardness should be in the range of 4 to 18°N dGH (71 to 321 ppm). Blue Gouramis adapt well to different water conditions but prefer consistency.

Feeding Blue Gouramis

Blue Gouramis are omnivores and will thrive on a varied diet. They are known to nibble on plants occasionally, so adding some hardy, fast-growing plants to the tank is recommended. In the wild, their diet includes insects, larvae, and plant matter. Therefore, providing a diverse range of food options ensures optimal health and coloration.

Diet:

• Frozen or live worms like bloodworms and tubifex
• Frozen or live larvae, such as white and black mosquito larvae
• Brine shrimp (newly hatched for young fish)
• Small insects like flies or crickets, which mimic their natural feeding behavior
• Pellets, Spirulina-based food, Ramshorn snails, and granules
• Flakes, providing balanced nutrition for daily feeding
• Blanched vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, and peas, which add fiber to their diet

Pro Tips: Feed small amounts multiple times a day to encourage natural grazing behavior and prevent overfeeding. Introducing live food occasionally can stimulate their hunting instinct. Avoid overfeeding, as leftover food can deteriorate water quality. Consider having one fasting day per week to help prevent digestive issues.

Breeding Blue Gouramis

Blue Gouramis are egg layers, not livebearers. Spawning Age: They become sexually mature at around 4 months when they reach 7-8 cm (2.75 inches). In the breeding season, males become more colorful, often displaying a darker shade of blue and sometimes developing a black stripe on their bodies.

Breeding Tips:

• Use a shallow breeding tank with plenty of floating plants like Duckweed and Water Sprite to support the bubble nest.
• Opt for a sponge filter to avoid sucking up eggs or fry, as they are delicate.
• After spawning, the male cares for the nest and eggs. However, he may become aggressive towards the female, so it's advisable to remove her after egg-laying. In a sufficiently large tank (90 liters or more), it is less likely that you will need to remove the female, as she can easily find hiding spots.

The nest can reach up to 10 x 10 cm in size and takes about 3 to 4 days to build, though it is often smaller. When ready to mate, the male will lead the female to a U-shaped area where the eggs are released. After the eggs are released, both fish may briefly fall motionless before resuming their normal activity. In the moments following spawning, the female also cares for the eggs, but the male eventually chases her away and continues to care for the nest on his own. The eggs hatch within 25-30 hours. Raising the temperature to 28°C (82°F) can accelerate this process. The fry should be fed infusoria and nauplii, and regular water changes are crucial during the third week as their labyrinth organ develops. This organ allows them to breathe atmospheric air, so ensure the water surface is free from debris.

Interesting Fact: Male Blue Gouramis blow bubbles coated with mucus to build the nest. This mucus adds stability to the nest and helps protect the eggs.

Tank Mates and Temperament of Blue Gouramis

Blue Gouramis are territorial and establish a social hierarchy within their group. The dominant male, usually the most colorful, will control the best areas of the tank. Subordinate males and females are lighter in color. Though they can be peaceful with other species, avoid housing them with overly aggressive or fin-nipping fish.

Ideal tank mates include:

• Mottled Loach
• Striped Panchax
• Badis Badis
• Bengal Loach
• Kuhli Loach
• Peaceful community fish like Neon Tetras and Harlequin Rasboras. Small tetras can be kept with gouramis, especially if they have been raised together as juveniles. However, an adult gourami that hasn't encountered small tetras before may see them as prey and potentially kill them when they are newly introduced to the tank.

Tip: Create a heavily planted tank to provide hiding spots and mimic their natural habitat. Adding driftwood and caves also helps reduce territorial aggression.

Filtration for a Blue Gourami Tank

Proper filtration is essential for Blue Gourami tanks. Use a sponge filter for breeding tanks to protect eggs and fry. For community tanks, external canister filters like those from Rena, Eheim, or Fluval are suitable. Consider adding an air stone near the surface to create gentle water movement, which enhances oxygenation without disturbing the water flow.

FAQs

• Do Blue Gouramis turn dark when spawning?
  No, they do not. The darkest Gourami is usually the dominant male, known as the "Alpha." This darkness indicates dominance, not breeding.
• Can I keep a Blue Gourami in a 10-gallon aquarium?
  Yes, but only for juveniles. Adults need a minimum of 50 liters (13 US gallons) to swim and thrive properly.
• Can I keep two Blue Gouramis together?
  Yes, preferably one male and one female, in a tank of at least 100 liters. Adding more hiding spots reduces aggression.
• Are Angelfish and Blue Gouramis compatible?
  Yes, but monitor them closely. Ensure water parameters meet the needs of both species to prevent stress and disease.
• Can a Blue Gourami be kept alone?
  Yes, but they do well in pairs. If kept alone, ensure they have plenty of enrichment, such as plants and caves, to explore.
• How to treat fungus on Blue Gouramis?
  Increase pH slightly, improve filtration, and perform a 20%-30% water change. Isolate the affected fish if necessary.

Conclusion

Blue Gouramis are an engaging and beautiful addition to any freshwater aquarium. With their vibrant colors, intriguing behaviors, and adaptability, they can bring life and interest to your tank. Ensuring a well-planned setup, balanced diet, and compatible tank mates will help your Blue Gouramis thrive for years to come.

Remember, the key to success is understanding their needs and providing a stable environment. Share your experiences with Blue Gouramis in the form at the bottom of this page!