The Honey Gourami is a beautiful tropical freshwater fish that is native to Southeast Asia. It is a peaceful and hardy species, making it an ideal choice for beginner aquarists. The Honey Gourami has an oval-shaped body with light yellow to gold coloring and distinctive black stripes running vertically down its sides. Its fins are also light yellow, with some having orange highlights on the tips.
Honey Gouramis prefer slightly acidic water conditions (pH 6.0-6.5) and temperatures between 74-82F (24-28C). They are omnivorous, so their diet shold include both meaty foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms and mosquito larvae, as well as vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes or cucumber slices. They should be fed two to three times a day in small amounts that they can consume within five minutes.
Honey Gouramis do best when kept in small groups of four or more individuals in a larger tank – at least 10 gallons per pair – that has plenty of well planted areas providing hiding spots and places to explore. They usually get along well with other peaceful fish such as dwarf cichlids, livebearers, tetras, danios and rasboras. It’s important to provide plenty of swimming space for these active fish.
These gregarious fish will often form strong pairs and can even be bred in the home aquarium if given the right conditions; males will display bright colors during spawning season and construct bubble nests near the surface of the water when ready to breed.
If you’re looking for an attractive addition to your aquarium that isn’t too hard to care for or too demanding on space, then the Honey Gourami might just be the ideal choice!
Do Honey Gouramis Need to Be Kept in Pairs?
Honey gouramis do not need to be kept in pairs, but they will benefit from having some company. They are not a schooling species, but they enjoy each other’s company and will display better in groups of 4-6 individuals. In larger groups, it is possible that a pair may form and swim together. However, if there is only one fish in the tank, it may remain solitary.
Maximum Size of Honey Gouramis
Honey Gouramis usually reach a size of 2 inches in length, although there can be some variation. Females tend to be a bit bigger than males, but both genders typically start out at the same size. When fully matured, honey Gouramis may reach up to 3 inches in length. They are known for their relatively small size and are usually kept in aquariums or other home aquaria.
Are Honey Gouramis Dwarfs?
No, a honey gourami (Colisa chuna) is not a dwarf gourami. They belong to the same family of labyrinth fish but they are not the same species. Honey gouramis are smaller than dwarf gouramis, reaching only about 2 inches (5 cm) in size, while dwarf gouramis can grow up to 3 inches (8 cm). In addition to their size difference, honey gouramis have striped patterns on their bodies whereas dwarf gouramis have iridescent spots.
Minimum Tank Size for Honey Gourami
The honey gourami is a small fish and typically quite sedentary, so it doesn’t need a large tank. A 10 gallon tank is suitable for a pair of these fish, and you can add an extra gallon for each additional fish you want to keep. For example, if you wanted to keep four honey gouramis, you would need a 14 gallon tank. This tank should be well-planted with plenty of hiding places for the fish.
Do Gourami Fish Prefer Bright Light?
Gouramis, such as the Dwarf Gourami, generally prefer moderate lighting. Too much bright light can make them shy and withdrawn, so it’s best to provide a low to medium level of light for their tank. If you do decide to go with brighter lighting in the tank, be sure to provide plenty of hiding places for the fish. The ideal temperature range for the dwarf gourami is 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: petco.com
Keeping a Single Gourami
While it is possible to keep a single gourami, it is not recommended as they are naturally social fish and prefer to be kept in pairs or small schools. Keeping a single gourami can cause it to become timid and shy, spending its days hiding away, rather than being active and social. If you would like to keep a single gourami, it is important to provide plenty of hiding spots and enrichment activities such as caves and tunnels for the fish to explore.
Keeping Dwarf Gourami with Honey Gourami
No, we would not recommend keeping Dwarf Gouramis with Honey Gouramis. While other types of Gouramis such as Gold Gouramis, Pearl Gouramis and Blue Gouramis make good tank mates, Honey Gouramis tend to grow too big and can be too aggressive to be kept with smaller species such as Dwarf Gourami. Additionally, Kissing Gouramis, Samurai Gouramis and Paradise Gouramis should also not be kept with Honey Gouramis.
How Many Gouramis Should Be Kept in a Group?
Ideally, four or more gouramis should be kept together in a tank. Gouramis are social creatures and thrive best when they have companions. Keeping them in groups of four or more helps to reduce stress and boredom, giving them plenty of opportunity to interact with each other. However, it’s important not to overcrowd the tank; make sure there is enough swimming space for all the gouramis.
Can Honey Gouramis Live in a Five-Gallon Tank?
Yes, a honey gourami can live in a 5-gallon tank, but it should not be the only fish in the tank. Honey gouramis need at least 5-7 gallons of water to swim freely and they prefer to be kept in pairs. While it is possible to keep them in a 5-gallon tank, they will be much happier and healthier if you are able to provide them with at least 7 gallons of water.
Keeping Honey Gourami with Shrimp
Yes, you can keep honey gouramis with shrimp, but it is important to be aware that gouramis do have a tendency to snack on shrimp. While the honey gourami is a smaller species than many other gouramis, it might still attempt to eat the adult shrimp. However, if you have enough of them and they are able to reproduce quickly enough, they should be able to outpace any eating from the gourami. To be safe, it’s best to cycle the tank without fish first and then add the gourami once everything is established.
What Plants Are Suitable for Honey Gouramis?
Honey gouramis are peaceful, colorful fish that bring liveliness to an aquarium. They prefer a heavily planted tank with a variety of plants, as this will provide them with a sense of security and plenty of places to hide. Some of the best plants for a honey gouramis tank include Amazon Frogbit, Water Lettuce, Hornwort, Cryptocoryne Wendtii, Java Fern, Amazon Sword, Water Wisteria and Vallisneria.
Amazon Frogbit is an easy-to-care-for floating plant that provides great coverage and shade in the aquarium. Water Lettuce is also a floating plant that helps keep the water surface shaded and cool. Hornwort is an excellent oxygenator and its long stems provide plenty of places for honey gouramis to hide. Cryptocoryne Wendtii can be planted both on the substrate or in pots and grows in many different colors. Java Fern is an undemanding plant that prefers low light levels and spreads quickly in the right conditions. Amazon Sword has sword-like leaves which makes it perfect for honey gouramis to hide behid or swim through its stems. Water Wisteria has tall foliage that provides excellent cover for shy fish like honey gouramis and also produces oxygen bubbles throughout the day. Finally, Vallisneria is a hardy aquatic grass that helps keep nitrates at bay by consuming them from the water column.
Do Honey Gouramis Eat Snails?
Yes, honey gouramis are known to consume snails in a tropical fish tank. They have an omnivorous diet that typically consists of both plant and animal matter. In the aquarium, they will usually eat any type of small invertebrate or live food, including snails. It is important to note that if you want to keep your snail population in check, you may need to supplement the gouramis’ diet with other foods such as frozen or freeze-dried shrimp, bloodworms, and tubifex worms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, honey gouramis are a great choice for beginner aquarists due to their hardiness, small size, and peaceful nature. They can be kept as single fish or in pairs or groups of 4-6 members. A 10 gallon tank with plenty of hiding places and plants is suitable for a pair of honey gouramis. It is important to note that dwarf gouramis are a different species and grow larger than honey gouramis. With the right care and maintenance, these fish can be a joy to watch in your aquarium!
