Honey Dwarf Gourami - Wild India 3cm

Honey Dwarf Gourami

The Honey Dwarf Gourami, is a fantastic soft-natured and colourful fish that is an excellent choice for community aquariums. Its deep honey-yellow coloration makes it contrast amazingly in a planted or blackwater aquarium and its relatively small size makes it a great addition to smaller systems.

The Honey Dwarf Gourami has a slender, elongated body shape that really accentuates its oval appearance. Their coloration is simple however incredibly contrasting, the predominant colour is a deep honey orange that runs from head to tail. The main contrast comes from the jet-black belly region and the bright yellow dorsal fin which really define the shape of this gourami. These gouramis also have a pair of thread-like pelvic fins that they use as feelers to explore their environment, it's quite interesting to see them using this in the aquarium feeling their way through the plants and hardscape. The average size of a Honey Dwarf Gourami is around 5 cm in length making them perfect for the nano and desktop aquariums.

Breeding Honey Dwarf Gouramis is possible and easy in captivity however it is not done all that often. Local or home breeders do not have much of an incentive to breed and sell these fish but the process is quite similar to betta fish. The males build bubble nests for the eggs, and once the eggs are fertilised and placed in the nest, the males protect them. The parents, however, do not provide any care for the fry once they hatch.

Tank Recommendations for your Honey Dwarf Gourami

A minimum tank size of 60 litres is recommended for these small fish. They spend almost all their time near the surface so a fitting lid will also be great just so they do not jump out. In the wild, the honey gourami are found in calm slow-moving water which can be replicated through the use of sponge filters in the aquarium. Though the gouramis are top dwelling, having hiding spots, and dense plants will be great. Honey Dwarf Gouramis thrive in water temperatures between 22-28°C and a pH level of 6.0-7.5.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Honey Gourami is a peaceful fish, which makes it an ideal tankmate for other small, non-aggressive fish species.

Usually Compatible

Tetras, rasboras, corydoras, small plecos, otocinclus, and peaceful shrimp species.

Sometimes Compatible

Mildly aggressive fish, such as larger barbs or some dwarf cichlids, might intimidate the Honey Gourami.

Rarely Compatible

Larger, aggressive fish species, like angelfish or predatory fish, may harass or even eat the smaller Honey Gourami.

Feeding your Honey Dwarf Gourami

Honey Dwarf Gourami fish are incredibly easy to feed. They take to a wide range of foods and should have a varied diet for optimal health, giving them a range of flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods will not only make them thrive but also show off amazing colours. Because of their mostly top-dwelling nature,e they should be given foods that readily float for them to eat easily.