Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Labyrinth Fish > Gold Gourami

Gold Gourami

Family: Osphronemidae - Subfamily: Luciocephalinae

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Trichogaster trichopterus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The beautiful color of the Gold Gourami makes this a very desirable addition to an aquarium, but it does get big and can become belligerent to small tank mates!

   The Gold Gourami, like the Blue Gourami, Platinum Gourami, and Opaline Gourami, is a color morph of the Three-spot Gourami and is therefore very similar. The difference in the Gold Gourami is the lack of the three spots and the gold coloration.

   The Gold Gourami, like all the variants of this species, are generally considered good community fish when small but they are not as peaceful as the other gouramis. They have been known to attack smaller fish. They can also get belligerent or territorial when they get large. Because they can get quite large, about 6 inches, they will soon out grow a small aquarium and will need to be provided with more space.

   This species group is certainly one of the hardiest available to the aquarist, and makes an excellent first fish for people entering the hobby. They are long lived fish with each having a remarkably individual personality. They will use their pelvic fins to feel their environment and even feel their tank mates. They also seem to be quite aware of their owners.  

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Gold Gourami is a captive bred color-morph of the Three-spot Gourami. Three-spot Gouramis are found in streams and rivers of the tropical Far East.
   Found in marshes, swamps, and canals, the Three-spot Gourami inhabits shallow sluggish or standing-water with a lot of aquatic vegetation. Occurs in seasonally flooded forests throughout the middle and lower Mekong. Undertakes lateral migrations from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season. Feeds on zooplankton, crustaceans and insect larvae.

Status:
   There are no wild populations of the Gold Gourami.

Description:
   The body of the Gold Gourami is somewhat compressed and elongated. The fins are rounded and relatively large. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. The body color is a pretty gold tone with a deeper toned striped patterning along the back. The two dark spots seen on the Three-spot Gourami are absent. White spots extend on to the fins, giving them a very attractive pattern. This fish has a labyrinth organ, a part of the fish which allows it to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream.

Size - Weight:
   Six inches (15 cm) is a good length for this gourami to reach in the aquarium. They will breed at 3 inches (7.5 cm).

Care and feeding:
   The Gold Gourami, like all the variants of this species, are omnivores. These fish will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. A quality flake or pellet food makes a good base to the diet. Supplementation should include white worms, blood worms, brine shrimp, or any other suitable substitute. Fresh vegetables can be offered as well, blanched lettuce being a good option for many aquarists.
   These gouramis are extremely hardy fish. Although the labyrinth organ allows the fish to survive in oxygen depleted water, it is a common misconception that this makes water changes unnecessary. This is hardly the case as these fish will suffer the same tissue damage from built up toxins as any other fish. Regular water changes are a must with 25% weekly being recommended.
   The tank should be decorated in a way which allows both the dominant and quieter personality type fish to live happily. This means the construction of a few hiding places and some dense plant cover. This species appreciates the cover of floating plants. While juveniles can be easily housed in a 15 - 20 gallon aquarium, adults do better with at least 35 gallons.

An interesting characteristic of these gouramis (as well as the Pearl Gourami), is that they are well known for eating hydra. The hydra is a tiny pest that has tentacles with a venom. Very small fish that come in contact with the hydra are paralyzed by the venom and then held fast by the tentacles until eaten. If you have a hydra problem in your aquarium, here is your solution!

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   Top, middle, and bottom; the Gold Gourami will inhabit all levels of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   This fish will be bothered by a strong current in the tank, especially if the tank is small. It is also desirable to keep the tank in a room with a temperature as close as possible to the tank water, or risk damaging the labyrinth organ.
   Temperature: 77-86° F (25-30° C)
   Hardness: 5 - 35° dH
   Ph: 6.0 to 8.8

Social Behaviors:
   The Gold Gourami are generally considered a good community fish when small, but they are not as peaceful as the other gouramis. They have been known to attack smaller fish. When they get older, only keep them with fish their own size. Individuals will show varying degrees of aggression. Some will be very belligerent and will handle their tank mates quite roughly. Others will be peaceful to the point of shyness. The aquarist should be prepared to adapt their tank to suit all personality types.
   A mix of neutral personalities is an ideal goal for the range of tank mates. You should not include fish which will provoke this species into aggression as they are often passionate fighters. Fin nippers and gouramis should absolutely never be mixed, as the trailing pelvic fins and generally slower movement of this fish make it the perfect victim. Bullying between gouramis is a likely scenario as these fish, typical of the family, are fixated on constantly working out the details of the hierarchy. Being skilled hunters, extremely small fish or fish fry rarely last long.

Sexual Differences:
   The male has a longer and more pointed dorsal fin.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Like most fish in this family, the Gold Gouramis are bubble nest builders. Their eggs as well as the fry, are lighter than water and float to the top. Breeding is moderately difficult, and finding a suitable pair is perhaps the biggest challenge. An individual breeding tank of 10 or more gallons should be set up. The water should be shallow, about 5 inches (13cm) being ideal. Tank current should be minimal. Many aquarists find that floating plants, or stem plants grown to the surface, or any other floating debris will help keep the bubble nest in place.
   A healthy pair of adults should be introduced into the breeding tank. The male will spend a lot of time building a large bubble nest. The two will spawn and eggs will be deposited in the nest. The female must be removed at this time or she risks being killed by the male. Fry will soon emerge and must be kept on fry food until they can swallow flake foods. This is when the male should be removed or he might eat the fry which emerge from the nest.

Buy Gold Gourami From LiveAquaria.com

See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Gold Gourami is readily available. Specimens will be about $4 - $6 USD each.

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Latest Comments
I just got my Gold Gourami from a little mom and pop style shop called The Reef. He's about 4.5 inches long and he's absolutely beautiful and so far, doesn't seem to be that aggressive. But I know he can hold his own 'cause they had him in a tank with around 4 aronawas, three other male gold gourami his size (one was a real scrapper), albino and common pleco, and a black ghost knifefish. I'm so excited to be taking care of gourami again! :) Andy 2009-09-20
Today I bought a blue gourami and a gold gourami. Being interested in them, I bought 1 gold snail. I have had much fish experience. Going through my goldfish (19 to 35 cents) and having good results when they live 3 to 4 years old. I have a huge tank and having both of the fish jump out and miraculously live to tell the tale. I then used a spare window screen, I placed it over their open faced bowl. I keep the fish in my room so I hope to get a new tank soon. I want to get some more gourami or try to find some fish they like being around. Pretty cheap too. I wanted a black shark but that simply wouldn't do, lol. I'm planning to get bettas. They had only males at this paticular store but I want a a few. If you have seen the goldfish bowls, I am going to buy a few of those. Pair the females together but not the males. Anna 2009-07-31
I just got 1 gold gourami and 1 holy gourami and they are getting bit by my tiger botias and the beotias keep scaring them. They are really nice fish and I'm thinking of getting an opaline gourami because they are really nice fish and they get to 6 inches. My fish are in a 10 gallon right now but in a month they will be moved to a 55 gallon tank with 110 gallons of filtration, and I'm also getting id sharks. I also have 1 common pleco and 1 high fin butterfly pleco and I'm geting another big common pleco when I get my 55 gallon tank. If my id sharks grow over 1 ft in less then 1 year im putting them in a 125 gallon tank that my bro has. Mike 2009-07-10
To be honest they are not too aggressive with small fish. I just purchased 2 gold Gourami that had been living with a tiny guppy at a pet store for 2 months and took all three of them home about three days ago. They dont even bother the guppy at all, unless it gets too close to them and then they nudge it away with a quick nip. But other than that they have done nothing with it! Heather 2009-03-15
I recently acquired 2 golden Gouramis to add some color to my tank of bland silver and black fish. One died days after being introduced to his new home, probably due to stress the poor thing :( . Our remaining gourami is quite the character. He is very shy, but very curious, and all he wants to do is touch the other fish with his feelers. Which is not what the others want, lol. I have him housed in a 56 gallon tank with Two red-tailed tinfoil barbs, 2 Rainbows (Parkinson's rainbow and Australian Rainbow), 2 corydoras (Albino and Pepper) one columbian shark and one very tiny pleco that I'm convinced is part ninja (His hiding skills are top notch). Chester, The gourami, tends to stick around with the Rainbows or be alone. The barbs, although the most docile fish in the tank, seem to scare him a lot, although he has since gotten used to the whole idea. I am thinking of getting a blue gourami to be Chester's friend, but I don't really want him to be bossed around... So I might not buy one after all. Jennifer 2009-03-02
Some of the coolest comments:
I've recently become an avid aquariust and it was love at first sight with gouramis. My first pair were Flame Red Dwarfs then added a pair of Powder Blue Dwarfs. There was a bit of nudging at first but it now looks more like games of tag and they get along just fine. Recent additions are a pair of Blue Gouramis (Three-spot) a pleco, emerald cory cats and leopard cory cats. They make a beautiful, colorful scene to watch and each have distinct personalities while co-existing peacefully. In a seperate tank I have a pair of Gold Gouramis. They are constantly bickering back and forth and "kiss" while shoving each other around the tank. One female, one male. I thought perhaps another pair of fish would lighten their mood so I introduced a pair of Pearl Gouramis and a Clown Pleco. Hah! I no sooner had put the Pearls in and had to remove and transfer them to the larger tank. The Gold Gouramis were very aggressive/belligerent towards the Pearls. It was like watching a wrestling match when they are thrown upon the ropes! I'm thinking when the Pearls are all grown up I'll let them have a re-match...or perhaps their larger Blue cousins would like to have a few minutes go at the Golds. The Golds are beautiful but also seem to have a more "boisterous" attitude. I would incorporate with caution. kat 2009-04-21
I have 2 Gold Gouramis in a tank with 2 Angelfish and a Zebra Pleco and they all do just fine together. Both of my Gouramis came from the same tank and are about 3-4 inches long and were very healthy when we bought them and they still are. I must say that this fish is rather easy to take care of, but they are VERY skiddish, even more so than the Angels. Also if you have not one of these fish already, and you plan to buy one, be cautious on the first few weeks because they get so much more stressed out than the other fish upon new tank entry. Katie 2006-07-10
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I am a proud owner of several fish that people said would not go along together, but so far so good! My 5 different Gouramis are some of my fish that no one said could be peaceful, but I thought in a large tank and enough hiding spots they might work. Its been 5 months and they have been great. They have quite a personality and they are so beautiful! Thank you to Animal-World with all your pages of information on fish, it has helped many people I know.! Brook C. 2005-11-28

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Author: David Brough, CFS
Additional Information: "Yvonne"