Red Honey Gourami 4cm

Red Honey Gourami

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

The Red Honey Gourami has a slender, elongated body shape that makes them look like an oval with a distinct, curved dorsal fin. Their coloration ranges from a bright, fiery red to a more subdued, warm orange hue that runs from head to tail. The scales are slightly rimmed with black which is also present on their underbelly that just adds a level of depth to the fish. The males typically display more intense colouring, especially during breeding periods when they become even more vibrant. These gouramis also have a pair of thread-like pelvic fins that they use as feelers to explore their environment. The average size of a Red Honey Gourami is around 5 cm in length.

Breeding Red Honey Gouramis is relatively 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 breeding them is much like breeding betta fish. The males build bubble nests for the eggs, and once the eggs are fertilized 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 Red Honey Gourami

A minimum tank size of 60 liters 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 red honey gourami is found in well 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. Red Honey Gouramis thrive in water temperatures between 22-28°C and a pH level of 6.0-7.5.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Red 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 Red Honey Gourami. 

Rarely Compatible

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

Feeding your Red Gourami

Red 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, and frozen and live foods will not only make them thrive but also show off amazing colours. Because of their mostly top-dwelling nature, they should be given foods that readily float for them to eat easily.