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

Introduction – Size, Temperament and Tank Setup

The Blue Gourami is a labyrinth fish that typically grows to 10-12 cm (3.9 – 4.7 inches) and lives up to 8 years. It is native to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. These fish do best in large, heavily planted biotope aquariums (100 liters, 26 US gallons, 22 Imperial gallons). They should be kept in pairs, as they are very territorial, especially if they are of the same gender. Females can be as aggressive as males, so if you want to keep more than one Gourami in the same tank, make sure there are plenty of plants and decorations to provide hiding spots and prevent constant line of sight. While adults can be aggressive, juveniles are more peaceful and enjoy chasing each other. They mature at about 4 months (when they reach 7-8 cm, or 2.75 inches). Each adult requires around 50 liters (13 US gallons, 11 Imperial gallons) of water.

Despite their aggressive nature towards their own kind, Blue Gouramis are generally peaceful with other fish that are too small to fit in their mouths. They coexist well with bottom dwellers like Corydoras or small Tetras, especially if the Gouramis were introduced to a community tank while they were still young. For more details on tankmates and compatibility, refer to the “Tankmates” section.

For Blue Gouramis, your tank should include plenty of plants (including floating ones), driftwood, and gravel, which can be replaced with sand. If you plan to breed them, use a shallow tank because Blue Gouramis build bubble nests. The male cares for the eggs and fry, so avoid placing the nest too high - about 60 cm (23 inches) above the substrate. If the nest is too high, the male will tire quickly and may not retrieve fallen eggs effectively. Suitable plants for a Gourami tank include Cryptocoryne balansae, Acorus gramineus, and Rotala wallichii. While Blue Gouramis don't need open swimming areas, they can live in tanks without a lid since they breathe atmospheric air. However, leave a gap of about 8 cm (3.14 inches) between the water surface and the top of the tank, as these fish can jump, even though they don’t often. Open-top tanks are also easier to maintain and clean.

Blue Gouramis are not very particular about pH and water chemistry. They thrive in a pH range of 6 to 8, but the pH should remain stable. You can achieve this by keeping the carbonate hardness between 4 and 6. Blue Gouramis also tolerate a wide temperature range from 22 to 28°C (71.6 to 82.4°F). Unlike pH, the temperature does not need to be perfectly stable. In the wild, temperatures fluctuate between day and night, so it’s normal for there to be some variation. These hardy fish can handle a general water hardness range of 4 to 18°N dGH (71 to 321 ppm, 1.43 to 6.43 mEq). Keep this range consistent for their well-being.

Feeding Blue Gouramis

Blue Gouramis are omnivores and enjoy a variety of foods, including flakes, live, or frozen foods, as well as other options listed below. If you have a lot of small guppies and aren't sure what to do with them, consider feeding them to your Gouramis. Gouramis that haven't had previous contact with guppies will eat them with enthusiasm.

Blue Gouramis enjoy a variety of foods, including:

• Frozen or live worms
• Frozen or live larvae, such as white and black mosquito larvae
• Brine shrimp – newly hatched for young Gouramis, and larger shrimp for adults
• Small insects, like flies or crickets
• Pellets, food with Spirulina, Ramshorn snails, and granules
• Flakes

Blue Gouramis will take food from the surface, mid-levels of the tank, and will also collect food that falls to the bottom.

Breeding the Blue gouramis

Blue Gouramis lay eggs and cannot become pregnant, a common misconception among new fishkeepers. Instead, the male fertilizes the eggs once they are released. During courtship, the male will start the process when the female is ready to spawn. You can tell she's ready when her belly appears noticeably rounder than usual. Blue Gouramis can breed about once a month, though this can vary depending on their comfort level in the tank. For breeding, it’s best to use a sponge filter in the tank, as it won’t pull the eggs or fry into the filtration system. Alternatively, external canister filters, such as those by Rena, Eheim, or Fluval, are also suitable for community or Gourami tanks. Adding an air stone near the surface can help provide gentle water movement, but ensure it doesn’t create strong currents that could disturb the nest.

The male Blue Gourami builds a nest on the water's surface, so floating plants are ideal for a breeding tank as they help keep the surface stable. The nest can reach up to 10 x 10 cm (3.9 x 3.9 inches) 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.

Both parents care for the eggs, but the male may become aggressive towards the female as time goes on. If this happens, it is advisable to separate them, and provide hiding places such as caves for the female.

The eggs typically hatch within 25 to 30 hours. Raising the temperature to 28°C (82°F) can speed up the process. The fry should be fed infusoria and nauplii, and regular water changes are important, especially during the third week when the labyrinth organ develops.

Tank Mates and Temperament of Blue Gouramis

Blue Gouramis are territorial and have a social structure in their groups, with a clear hierarchy. The dominant male, usually the most colorful and darkest, is at the top. Lower-ranking males are much lighter and can be easily distinguished from the dominant one. Females are also bright but can grow as large as the dominant males. However, females have rounder bellies due to the eggs they carry, with more eggs resulting in a rounder belly.

Ideal tank mates for Blue Gouramis include loaches and other slow-moving fish from Asia. Suitable companions are: Mottled Loach, Striped Panchax, Badis Badis, Bengal Loach, and Kuhli Loach.

It is crucial to have a heavily planted tank for Blue Gouramis. As they are native to Asia, the water flow should be minimal. While juveniles might enjoy stronger currents, adult Blue Gouramis prefer calmer waters.

Many visitors come to aqua-fish.net with questions, so we've answered the most common ones below. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to ask using the form at the bottom of this page!

• Do Blue Gouramis turn dark when spawning?

  No, they do not. In my experience, the darkest Blue Gourami in the tank is usually the dominant male, or "Alpha male." Males with lower ranks are paler and resemble females, except their bellies are less rounded.

• How big does a Blue Gourami grow?

  Males can reach up to 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length. However, weaker males may only grow to 10 cm (3.9 inches). Dominant males tend to eat more and show their strength, so not all Blue Gouramis will reach 12 cm. Females may be smaller but are generally rounder.

• Can I keep a Blue Gourami in a 10-gallon (37 liters, 8.3 Imperial gallons) aquarium?

  Yes and no. Juveniles can live in a 10-gallon tank, but adults need a larger space. While a single Blue Gourami can be housed in a 10-gallon tank, it won’t have much room to swim. For a more active display, a larger tank is better, as Gouramis are fast swimmers, especially when hunting live food.

• Can I keep 2 Blue Gouramis together in a single tank?

  Yes, it's possible. It’s best to keep one male and one female. The tank should be at least 100 liters (~22 Imperial gallons, ~26.42 US gallons), but a larger size is preferable for the best results.

• Are Angelfish and Blue Gouramis compatible?

  Yes, they are compatible. However, Angelfish come from South America while Gouramis are from Asia. To accommodate both species, ensure the environment meets their needs. Typically, a neutral pH, hardness between 6-8, and a temperature of 25°C (77°F) will satisfy both.

• Can a Blue Gourami be kept alone?

  Yes, but it’s better to keep two or more together. If you have only one, consider adding a second for breeding purposes. A single female might have issues releasing eggs, which can lead to health problems. This is similar to Betta fish, where a female might face egg blockage if kept alone.

• My Blue Gourami has fungus, what should I do?

  Increase the pH, improve filtration, and perform a 20%-30% water change. Fungus can develop if water quality is poor or if the fish is injured. This often happens in breeding tanks without proper filtration. If the male is aggressive towards the female, fungus may appear on her wounds. Move the female back to the main tank and ensure that pH and carbonate hardness are checked. The carbonate hardness should be at least 4 to help the fry survive their early days.