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Pearl Gourami

Mosaic Gourami ~ Leeri

Family: OsphronemidaePearl GouramiTrichogaster leeriiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough
Latest Reader Comment - See More
A couple weeks ago, my family bought some fish. I'm not sure of all the breeds, but their are two gourami fish in there. I have a pearl gourami and there is also a... (more)  Flora

   The gorgeous Pearl Gourami have earned their name from their beautiful iridescent 'pearl' patterning!

   The Pear Gourami are some of the most beautiful of all fishes. Despite being relatively large fish, usually 3 - 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm), they are among the most peaceful fish of this size. They are quite hardy and their pleasant demeanor make them a perfect community fish. They do tend to be shy however so will do best in a roomy tank with open swimming space, but also lots of plants. They are also easy to breed.

   Some labyrinth fish have voices!...and the Pearl Gourami is no exception. The fish has a kind of vocalization that sounds like croaking, or growling, or cracking tones. This is generally most pronounced during breeding or with territorial type behavior, but whether it has any special function is unknown.

   Another interesting characteristic of the Pearl Gourami is that they are well known for eating hydra. This is also a characteristic of the Blue (Three-spot) Gourami and its color morphs. 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 by the hydra. If you have a hydra problem in your aquarium, here is your solution!

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


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Geographic Distribution
Trichogaster leerii
Data provided by FishBase.org
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Perciformes
  • Family: Osphronemidae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Pearl Gourami was described by Bleeker in 1852. They are found in the tropical Far East; Malay Peninsula, Penang, Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo. They inhabit shallow ponds and lakes with dense vegetation.

  • Scientific Name: Trichogaster leerii
  • 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

Description

   The body of the Opaline Gourami is somewhat compressed and is elongated. The dorsal and anal fins become long and flowing pennants, especially in the male. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. The body color is a brown to reddish brown covered with white pearly dots, from which its name is derived, that extend onto the fins and tail. There is a broken brown stripe running horizontally mid body. Below this line some darker spots intermingle with the white spots.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) - These fish generally get up to 3 - 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm), though they can reach just under 5 inches (12 cm).

Fish Keeping Difficulty

  • Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
  • Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivores, the Pearl Gourami will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a quality flake or pellet food as the base to the diet. Supplement this with live foods such as white worms, blood worms, brine shrimp, or any other suitable substitute. Vegetable tablets can be offered as well.
   These gouramis are 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.
   Pearl Gouramis enjoy an aquarium that is roomy but with more subdued lighting. The tank should be decorated in a manner that provides plenty of hiding places for this shy fish to live happily. They appreciate dense vegetation and 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.

  • 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

Aquarium Care

Aquarium Setup

  • Minimum Tank Size: 20 gal (76 L)
  • Substrate Type: Any
  • Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
  • Temperature: 74.0 - 82.0° F (23.3 - 27.8° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
  • Range ph: 6.5-8.5
  • Hardness Range: 5 - 30 dGH
  • Brackish: No
  • Water Movement: Weak
  • Water Region: All - These fish will swim in primarily in the middle and top portions of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors

   The Pearl Gourami is a very peaceful fish, even relatively so when in breeding mode. These fish make excellent community fish. They are timid however, and may take a bit of time to become comfortable in an aquarium and come out of hiding. Keep them with other peaceful fish.

  • Venomous: No
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • 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.

Sex: Sexual differences

   The male is more slender, has longer more pointed dorsal and anal fins, and develops a red breast when courting.

Breeding / Reproduction

   When they are breeding, the males develop a brilliant red hue. Males will also participate in mouth combat like many cichlid species. Like most fish in this family, these fish are bubble nest builders and their nest will be quite large. One peculiarity of the Pearl Gourami is that they will spit grains of sand into their nest and can develop a rather large sand hill underneath of it! Their eggs as well as the fry, are lighter than water and float to the top. Picture of a Pearl Gourami

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

  • Ease of Propagation: Moderate - Breeding is not exceptionally difficult, however finding a suitable breeding pair is not always easily accomplished.

Availability

   The Pearl Gourami is readily available and reasonably priced. Specimens will be about $4 - $8 USD.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough, CFS


Trichogaster Leerii Pearl Gourami Large Trichogaster Leerii Pearl Gourami Large
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Trichogaster Leerii Pearl Gourami Small Trichogaster Leerii Pearl Gourami Small
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Lastest Comments on Pearl Gourami

Flora - 2011-06-28
A couple weeks ago, my family bought some fish. I'm not sure of all the breeds, but their are two gourami fish in there. I have a pearl gourami and there is also a Opaline gourami. I believe the Pearl is a male and I think the Opaline is as well. There is also a guppy in there as well and I'm slightly worried. From what I've read, smaller fish tend not to last with gouramis. Should I be worried for the guppy? Also, the Opaline gourami has some strange behaviour. Whenever we switch the light off in the tank, it goes crazy. It swims to the top incredibly fast and then zooms around for a while. It tends to circle around the thermometer, on the side of the tank, as well. It chases my pearl gourami around constantly. Is there anything wrong?

Click For Replies (1)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-06-28
    Since the Gouramis are omnivores and will grow up to at least 6 inches and will eat all kinds of live fresh food, I'd say it's a good chance the Gouramis will eat the little guys. Guppies are pretty small and I would think the Gourami would think it might make an excellent meal. I have no idea about switching the light off in the tank. It might just be a startled reaction that he needs to get used to. Are you switching the light off when the room is dark? You could try switching the light off when the room light is on and then switch the tank light off. I leave a nightlight on for my birds - I don't know if throwing a fish into darkness fast would startle them.
Reply
Haeckler - 2010-11-03
I have a male and a female pearl gourami. The male is the king of the tank (20 gallon, planted with crypts, with guppies and kuhli's). Sometimes he goes around just pushing the other fish. He wants the female to stay in one corner behind a plant and frequently escorts her back to that corner, but she's not so afraid of him and comes out whenever he isn't looking!

I think they eat some guppy fry but I've never seen them do it. He is very colorful and she is fat with eggs but so far he isn't building a bubble nest.

Reply
Devon Chew - 2006-06-15
I had 2 of this fish 3 to 4 months ago. A male and female, Jericho and Pearla. Jericho died a week after I bought them. Pearla is all alone after his death. But after 2 months I had enough money to buy her some Neon Tetra friends. They are doing great, but the tetras and Pearla are never swimming close to each other. She is still alive. 2 of my tetras died.(I had 4 tetras)
She such a strong fish. This is a fish I recommend to keep with tetras, mollies or bottom-dwellers.

Click For Replies (2)
  • Brandon - 2010-06-30
    Are you experienced at keeping fish? Your fish shouldn't be dying like that.
  • Anonymous - 2010-10-29
    i suggest you buy a new male pearl spot or pearla wont be happy
Reply
Olivia - 2009-07-25
I used to keep a female Pearl Gourami name mikey for a long time ago. They are so cute but yet shy. Once in a while, she came out of her hiding spot behind the heater and everytime I walk by, she went back in the hiding spot. I reconmend this fish for a beginner because they live for a long time. My pearl Gourami did. ^^

Reply
Sami - 2008-07-30
I have had many fish. Last year a tragic accident happened to my Pearl Gouramis. One died of a terrible disease and the other was trying to keep the babies safe, but also died by fighting a betta. We had seven surviving babies and it's been four months and suprisingly they already have babies!

Reply
Yehoshua Cirt - 2006-08-05
I love the Pearls and keep a 80 centemeter long tank basically for these guys, which seem to survive in the hard water here in Israel. The males do develop vivid breeding colors, though have not bred. I hear this is because I have some other fish with them. Anyway, keeping one is okay but nothing like having a pair-- and there's nothing like having a group of four or five! They are very very social, coherting with one another with their "feelers." Now for something really interesting: one of the males goes near the tank bottom, stands on his head, then a Corydoras aneus comes around and tickles his sides for about two minutes. The Pearl goes up for air and the two repeat this behavior. It reminds me of saltwater cleaning wrasses. Anyway, it proves that even fish like this sort of thing.

Reply

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