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Pearl GouramiMosaic Gourami ~ LeeriFamily: Osphronemidae Trichogaster leeriiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest 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!Pearl Gourami Contents 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: |
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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
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).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
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
- 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.
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.
The male is more slender, has longer more pointed dorsal and anal fins, and develops a red breast when courting.
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. 
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.
The Pearl Gourami is readily available and reasonably priced. Specimens will be about $4 - $8 USD.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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