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Opaline GouramiOpaline GouramiFamily: Osphronemidae Trichogaster trichopterusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More I have a female opaline gourami with a female blue gourami. It was smaller than the blue one but more aggressive, so it was the under dog of the tank. Now, my... (more) fin The Opaline Gourami, a long time favorite with aquarists, is a very attractive fish available in a variety of color patterns!Opaline Gourami Contents Like the Blue Gourami, Gold Gourami, and Platinum Gourami, this gourami is a color morph of the Three-spot Gourami. Like all the variants of this species, the Opaline Gourami is 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. They can also get belligerent or territorial when they get large. 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. Besides being a color morph of the Three-spot Gourami, the Opaline Gouramiit has also been bred commercially in various color forms of its own. Because inbreeding is common in its genetic history, it is in the aquarist's best interest to take extra care when choosing specimens. Look for a well formed fish, free of skeletal or other deformity, and without obvious injury. Sulking or resting on the bottom is never a good sign. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Opaline Gourami is a man made variant of theThree-spot Gourami which is found in streams and rivers of the tropical Far East.
- Scientific Name: Trichogaster trichopterus
- Social Grouping: Groups - Can be kept singly, in pairs, or groups. If kept in a group make sure there are plenty of hiding places to keep one or more of the individuals from being bullied.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed - There are no wild populations of this species.
The body of the Opaline Gourami is somewhat compressed and is elongated. The fins are rounded and relatively large. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. The body color is a pale bluish tone with a darker marble-like patterning that varies with each color form. There are usually dark blotches at the pectoral fins and at the base of the tail and white spots that 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.
- Maximum Size: 5.0 inches (12.70 cm) - Five inches (12.6 cm) is a good length for the Opaline Gourami to reach in the aquarium. They will breed at 3 inches (7.5 cm).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
Since the Opaline Gouramis, like all varieties of the Three-spot Gourami, 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.
Opaline 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!
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 25 gal (95 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 82.0° F (22.2 - 27.8° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
- Range ph: 6.0-8.5
- Hardness Range: 5 - 35 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Weak - This fish will be bothered by a strong current in the tank, especially if the tank is small.
- Water Region: All
The Opaline Gourami is 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. The Opaline Gourami is also a skilled hunter and extremely small fish or fish fry rarely last long.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive - This species may be rough with smaller tankmates, increasingly so as it ages.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
- Slow Swimmers & Eaters: (): Monitor - Gouramis can be quick at feeding time. Make sure any fish that are not so quick get fed if you are keeping them with gouramis.
The male has a longer and more pointed dorsal fin.
Like most fish in this family, the Opaline 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.
For more information, see the description of how to breed labyrinth fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Propagation: Easy
The Opaline Gourami is readily available. Specimens will be about $4 - $5 USD each.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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