Description
Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii)
Overview
Trichopodus leerii, commonly known as the pearl gourami, is a striking freshwater labyrinth fish from the Osphronemidae family, native to slow-moving, vegetated waters of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, and Sumatra. Named for its iridescent, pearl-like spots across a brownish body with a dark horizontal stripe, males display vibrant orange-red throats during breeding, while females are duller and silver-toned. Males grow to 10–12 cm, females slightly smaller. Their peaceful nature, air-breathing labyrinth organ, and elegant appearance make them ideal for community aquariums, though males can be territorial.
Care Requirements
Tank Size:
Minimum 110L for a pair; 210L or larger recommended for trios (1 male, 2 females) or community setups to reduce aggression.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 25–28°C) optimal 26–27°C for breeding.
- pH: 5.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard, TDS <200 ppm).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate: <40 ppm (ideally <20 ppm).
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand; add leaf litter (e.g., Indian almond leaves) for tannins and natural aesthetics.
- Décor: Dense plants (e.g., Java fern, Amazon sword, Vallisneria) and floating plants for cover and bubble nest sites. Include driftwood or caves for hiding. Ensure surface access for air breathing.
- Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow using sponge or canister filters; avoid strong currents that disrupt bubble nests.
- Lighting: Low to moderate; floating plants diffuse light to reduce stress.
- Other: Secure lid recommended, as they may jump when stressed.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20–25% weekly with dechlorinated water to maintain stable parameters and low nitrates.
- Tank Cleaning: Siphon uneaten food and debris; lightly vacuum 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 preference for protein-rich foods; feeds on insects, larvae, and plant matter in the wild.
- Foods:
- Live/Frozen: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae (2–3 times weekly for vibrant colours).
- Dry: High-quality flakes or pellets (e.g., Hikari Tropical Pellets, Fluval Bug Bites).
- Occasional: Blanched vegetables (e.g., peas, spinach) or spirulina flakes for variety.
- Feeding: Small portions 2–3 times daily, consumed within 2–3 minutes to prevent overfeeding.
- Notes: Varied diet enhances pearl-like iridescence. They feed at surface and mid-water; ensure food is appropriately sized.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Temperament: Peaceful but territorial, especially males during breeding. Females are less aggressive.
- Social Behaviour: Best kept as a pair (1 male, 1 female) or trio (1 male, 2 females) in larger tanks. Multiple males require >210 litres with ample hiding spots to minimize aggression.
- Compatible Tankmates:
- Small to medium peaceful fish: Neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, corydoras catfish, kuhli loaches.
- Bottom-dwellers: Otocinclus, bristlenose plecos.
- Incompatible: Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (e.g., tiger barbs, serpae tetras), large cichlids, or other gourami species (e.g., Trichopodus trichopterus) to avoid hybridization or territorial disputes.
- Notes: Dense vegetation and visual barriers reduce aggression. Monitor male interactions in community tanks.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Type: Bubble nest builders; males construct large 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.
