Description
Honey Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
Overview
Trichogaster chuna, commonly known as the honey dwarf gourami or honey gourami, is a small, peaceful freshwater labyrinth fish from the Osphronemidae family, native to slow-moving, heavily vegetated waters of northern India, Bangladesh, and possibly Nepal. Wild males display a honey-brown body with a darker throat during breeding, while females are paler silver-brown. Tank-bred variants, like the golden honey gourami, show vibrant orange-yellow hues. Males grow to about 5 cm, females to 6 cm. Their shy demeanor, air-breathing labyrinth organ, and compact size make them ideal for nano and community aquariums, though they require stable conditions and careful tankmate selection.
Care Requirements
- Tank Size: Minimum 40L for a pair; 75L or larger recommended for trios (1 male, 2 females) or community setups to reduce stress and territoriality.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22–28°C; optimal 25–27°F for breeding.
- pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Hardness: 4–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard, TDS <150 ppm).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate: <30 ppm (ideally <15 ppm for optimal health).
- Substrate: Dark fine gravel or sand to enhance colouration; add leaf litter (e.g., Indian almond leaves) for tannins and natural habitat simulation.
- Décor: Dense live plants (e.g., Java moss, Cryptocoryne, Anubias) and floating plants (e.g., water sprite, frogbit) for cover and bubble nest sites. Include driftwood or caves for hiding. Ensure surface access for air breathing via their labyrinth organ.
- Filtration: Gentle flow using sponge or air-driven filters to mimic still waters; avoid strong currents that disrupt bubble nests.
- Lighting: Low, diffused with floating plants to reduce shyness and stress.
- Other: Tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap essential to maintain warm, humid air, critical for fry development.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20–30% weekly with dechlorinated water, matching main tank parameters to maintain stability and low nitrates.
- Tank Cleaning: Siphon uneaten food and debris; lightly clean substrate to preserve beneficial bacteria.
- Testing: Weekly checks for pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate using a reliable test kit.
- Equipment Check: Ensure filters provide gentle flow, heaters maintain stable temperatures, and surface access is unobstructed for air breathing.
Diet
- Type: Omnivorous with a carnivorous preference; feeds on small invertebrates and plant matter in the wild.
- Foods:
- Live/Frozen: Daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, mosquito larvae (2–3 times weekly for vibrant colours and breeding condition).
- Dry: High-quality micro-pellets or flakes (e.g., Fluval Bug Bites, Hikari Micro Pellets).
- Occasional: Blanched spinach, zucchini, or spirulina flakes for digestive health.
- Feeding: Small portions 2–3 times daily, consumed within 2 minutes to prevent overfeeding.
- Notes: Varied diet enhances colouration, especially in males. They feed at surface and mid-water; ensure food is appropriately sized.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Temperament: Peaceful but shy; males may become territorial during breeding but are less aggressive than larger gouramis.
- Social Behaviour: Best kept as a pair (1 male, 1 female) or trio (1 male, 2 females) in larger tanks. Multiple males require >110L with ample cover to minimize sparring.
- Compatible Tankmates:
- Small, peaceful fish: Neon tetras, ember tetras, harlequin rasboras, celestial pearl danios.
- Bottom-dwellers: Kuhli loaches, Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus.
- Incompatible: Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (e.g., tiger barbs, serpae tetras), large cichlids, or other gourami species (e.g., Trichopodus spp.) to avoid hybridization or territorial conflicts.
- Notes: Dense vegetation and hiding spots reduce shyness and stress. Monitor male Behaviour in smaller tanks to prevent aggression.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Type: Bubble nest builders; males construct floating nests among plants or debris using saliva bubbles.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
