Honey Gourami Care: Complete Guide for Beginners

Caring for Honey Gourami is a rewarding and delightful journey for beginner aquarium enthusiasts. This complete guide is tailored to help you understand the ins and outs of keeping these colorful, small, and peaceful fish. With our guidance, you’ll be on your way to providing a thriving and nurturing environment for your Honey Gourami.

by Fabian

Updated: June 19, 2023 / 13 mins read

Fabian is the dedicated Chief Editor at Aquarium Nexus. From a young age, he was captivated by the vibrant world of aquatic life, leading him to accumulate over 20 years of experience in keeping and breeding various fish species. The fulfillment derived from the aquarium hobby has remained a constant throughout Fabian's life. As an expert in the field, he finds great pleasure in imparting his extensive knowledge and personal experiences to both seasoned aficionados and budding enthusiasts.

Honey Gourami Species Profile and Identification

Honey Gouramis, scientifically known as Trichogaster chuna, are small, peaceful, and colorful freshwater fish. Native to South Asia, they are particularly prevalent in India, Bangladesh, and selective regions in Nepal.

Appearance and Identification:

• Honey Gouramis are distinguished by their bright orange-yellow hue with a hint of blue on the body and an almost transparent tail fin.
• Their body shape is characterized by a unique sail-like dorsal fin and a flat, elongated torso.
• They grow to an average length of 2 inches (5 cm), perfect for small to medium-sized aquariums.
• Due to their ability to change colors, identifying male and female honey gouramis can be a challenge; however, males are generally more colorful and exhibit a slightly pointed dorsal fin, while females appear rounder and have a relatively plain hue.

Table: Identification guide for Honey Gouramis

Understanding the Honey Gourami’s profile and appearance is essential for proper care and management. In the next section, we’ll explore the supplies and equipment necessary for creating the perfect living environment for your Honey Gourami.

Honey Gourami Supplies

Before bringing home your honey gourami, it’s essential to gather the necessary supplies for their care. This ensures that you provide the best environment and support for their growth and well-being. In this section, we will discuss the supplies needed for honey gourami care.

Key Supplies:

• Aquarium: Choose a minimum 10-gallon tank for one or two honey gouramis.
• Filter and heater: These will help maintain water quality and stable temperature.
• Aquarium test kits: Regularly check water parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels.
• Substrate: Opt for a fine gravel or sand substrate to replicate their natural habitat.

For the ideal honey gourami setup, the following additional items are important:

• Plants and hiding spots: Live or artificial plants and various hiding spots will ensure your honey gourami feels secure.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is preferred by honey gouramis, avoid direct sunlight or an overly lit tank.
• Decorations: Include driftwood, rocks, or ceramic ornaments to create a more natural environment.

For maintenance and routine care, invest in:

• Fish net: Useful for moving or catching fish.
• Algae scraper or pad: Helps maintain a clean aquarium.
• Water conditioner: Neutralizes chlorine and chloramines in tap water.

Lastly, to keep your honey gourami healthy and well-fed, you’ll need:

• Fish food: Offer a varied diet including high-quality pellets, flakes, and live or frozen foods for balanced nutrition.

By having these essential supplies on hand, you’ll be prepared to create a comfortable and thriving environment for your honey gourami.

Honey Gourami Tank Setup

Setting up the perfect tank for your Honey Gourami is crucial for its health, happiness, and longevity. An adequate tank setup ensures that these peaceful, beautiful fish have the proper living conditions to thrive and showcases their vibrant colors to their fullest.

When selecting a tank size, aim for a minimum of 10 gallons. Honey Gouramis can grow up to 2 inches, and a spacious tank helps maintain healthy living conditions. A long, shallow tank is preferable, as they tend to spend most of their time near the surface.

Consider the substrate for your tank. A darker substrate, such as river sand or dark gravel, helps your Honey Gourami to feel more comfortable and secure. Darker substrates also make their colors more vibrant.

Now, let’s talk about plants and decorations. Honey Gouramis love densely planted tanks with a variety of hiding spots. Some plant species well-suited for their needs include:

• Java moss
• Java fern
• Anubias
• Cryptocoryne
• Floating plants like Amazon frogbit or water lettuce

Hiding spots can be created using driftwood, rocks, or terra cotta pots. Honey Gouramis also appreciate tube-like structures to explore, such as PVC pipes.

Proper lighting is vital to maintain plant health and showcase your fish’s vibrant colors. Use a gentle, low-wattage LED light on a timer, ensuring a consistent day-night cycle.

Finally, filtration and aeration are essential. Gentle water movement is appreciated by Honey Gouramis, so a sponge filter or slow-flow hang-on-back filter works well. Maintain a stable water temperature of 72-82°F by installing a reliable heater.

Honey Gourami Water Requirements

Maintaining proper water conditions is crucial for Honey Gourami’s overall health and well-being. To keep your Honey Gourami happy and healthy, follow these essential guidelines for water requirements:

• Temperature: Honey Gouramis thrive in water temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C). Invest in a reliable aquarium heater and monitor the water temperature frequently.
• pH levels: These fish prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, with pH levels ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. Regularly test the pH in your tank to ensure stability.
• Water hardness: The ideal water hardness for Honey Gourami is between 2 to 20 dGH.
• Water changes: Perform regular water changes to maintain water quality and keep ammonia levels low, typically around 30% every 2-3 weeks.

To make sure that the water conditions in your tank are optimal for your Honey Gourami, follow these steps:

1. Use a quality water testing kit to test the water parameters frequently, especially during the initial setup of the tank. This will help you anticipate any issues in advance.
2. Adjust the water temperature within the acceptable range, if needed.
3. Manage the pH level by adding peat moss or almond leaves to your aquarium if you need to lower the pH, or by using a pH buffer to increase it.
4. Install a filter that effectively removes waste and reduces ammonia and nitrate levels to keep the water clean and safe.
5. Conduct regular water changes while keeping an eye on the parameters to ensure that your Honey Gourami’s habitat remains consistent and conducive to their health.

By closely monitoring your aquarium’s water conditions and following these guidelines, you’ll provide the ideal environment for your Honey Gourami to grow and thrive.

Honey Gourami Diet and Feeding

Honey Gourami are omnivorous fish, meaning they naturally consume both plant and animal-based food in the wild. In a home aquarium, it’s crucial to provide a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods to keep them healthy and active.

Primary diet

For an optimal diet, you should include the following food options in their daily meals:

• High-quality flakes or pellets: Look for a product specifically formulated for gouramis or tropical fish. These will provide a balanced diet suitable for Honey Gourami’s nutritional needs.
• Frozen or live foods: Offer treats like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms a few times a week. These protein-rich options allow them to mimic their natural hunting behavior and are great for maintaining their health.

Feeding frequency

It’s essential to keep the following feeding tips in mind to ensure your Honey Gourami thrive in their environment:

• Feed small portions frequently: Offer smaller meals 2-3 times a day to avoid overfeeding and poor water quality. Remove uneaten food after a few minutes to prevent it from polluting the water.
• Adjust the feeding frequency as they age: As Honey Gourami reach adulthood, you may reduce the feeding frequency to once or twice daily.
• Observe their eating habits: Regularly monitor their eating behavior to ensure they are eating well and look out for any signs of illness or stress. Adjust their diet as needed if you notice changes in their behavior.

By following the above guidelines, you’ll provide a well-rounded diet for your Honey Gourami, ensuring their health and longevity in your aquarium.

Honey Gourami Care Schedule

Creating a consistent care schedule for your Honey Gourami is essential to maintain their health and happiness. Follow these simple habits to ensure your fish are thriving:

Daily:

• Feeding: Feed your Honey Gourami small amounts of food twice a day, ideally once in the morning and once in the evening. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and health issues.
• Quick Visual Check: Observe your fish for any signs of stress or illness, like unusual swimming patterns or damaged fins.

Weekly:

• Water Testing: Test the water parameters, such as pH, nitrate, and ammonia levels, to ensure they remain within the appropriate range. Regular testing helps you maintain a stable and stress-free environment for your fish.
• Partial Water Change: Change 20-25% of the water in the tank every week to maintain water quality and prevent a buildup of waste and toxins. Use a gravel vacuum to clean the substrate while changing the water.
• Tank and Filter Inspection: Check your tank equipment, such as the heater, filter, and lights, to ensure they are functioning properly. Clean the filter media if it appears dirty, but avoid replacing it entirely to conserve beneficial bacteria.

Monthly:

• Aquarium Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the tank by scrubbing off algae, wiping down any decorations, and rinsing the filter media in tank water. Maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria by avoiding the use of harsh chemicals or tap water during the cleaning process.

By establishing and sticking to a Honey Gourami care schedule, you’ll provide your fish with an optimal environment for growth and health, which in turn will result in a thriving and happy community of these beautiful tropical fish.

Honey Gourami Health Problems

Honey Gourami, like other aquarium fish, can experience health problems. In this section, we will discuss the most common issues you might encounter and how to prevent them.

• Dropsy: Dropsy is a symptom of kidney failure, which causes the fish to become bloated and have scales sticking out. To prevent Dropsy, maintain a clean tank and feed your fish a balanced diet. If you notice a fish with Dropsy, quarantine it immediately to avoid infecting other fishes.
• Ich: Also known as white spot disease, Ich is caused by a parasite that appears as small white spots on the fish’s body. Treat Ich by raising the tank temperature to 86°F (30°C) for a week and using an aquarium medication as instructed.
• Velvet: Velvet is another parasitic infection that causes a yellowish, dusty coating on the fish’s skin. Prevent Velvet by maintaining proper water quality, and treat infected fish by using appropriate medication.
• Fin rot: Fin rot is a bacterial infection that results in frayed and discolored fins. The best way to prevent fin rot is by maintaining good water quality and preventing injuries. Fin rot can be treated with antibacterial medications.
• Swim bladder issues: Responsibilityy may lie in poor water quality and overfeeding. To resolve this issue, feed the fish smaller portions and improve water quality.
• Stress: Stress is a leading cause of many fish health issues. Keep optimum water parameters, minimize sudden changes in lighting or water temperature, and provide hiding places to reduce stress.

By keeping an eye on the health of your honey gourami and addressing any issues early, you can ensure that they live a long, happy life in your aquarium. Don’t forget to consult a veterinarian, if needed.

Honey Gourami Tank Mates

When selecting tank mates for your Honey Gourami, it’s crucial to choose peaceful, non-aggressive species that thrive in similar water conditions. Honey Gouramis are calm and can easily be intimidated by larger or aggressive fish, which can lead to stress and poor health.

Some excellent tank mates for Honey Gourami include:

• Tetras: Species such as Neon, Cardinal, and Ember Tetras are compatible with Honey Gouramis in terms of temperament and water preferences.
• Rasboras: Harlequin or Lambchop Rasboras will make great companions for your Honey Gourami due to their gentle nature.
• Corydoras: These peaceful bottom dwellers are an ideal choice for a community tank, providing great company to Honey Gouramis.
• Small loaches: Like the Kuhli Loach, they share a similar temperament and can peacefully co-exist with Honey Gouramis.
• Dwarf shrimp: Their small size and peaceful nature make them perfect tank mates for Honey Gouramis.

It is crucial to avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species, such as Tiger Barbs and aggressive Cichlids, as they will cause undue stress to your Honey Gourami. Also, avoid very large species that may try to eat your Honey Gourami.

Be sure to provide ample hiding spots within the tank, using plants, rocks, and natural decorations to create a comfortable environment for all inhabitants. By carefully selecting suitable tank mates and maintaining a stress-free environment, you’ll ensure the well-being and happiness of your Honey Gourami and its companions.

Honey Gourami Breeding

Breeding Honey Gouramis can be both a rewarding and challenging experience for beginners. With proper preparation and attention to detail, you’ll be able to witness this fascinating process unfold in your aquarium.

To encourage breeding, start by separating a healthy pair of Honey Gouramis into a designated breeding tank. Provide plenty of hiding spots and vegetation for the female to feel comfortable, such as:

• Floating plants
• Bushy plants
• Dense vegetation

Maintain optimal water conditions throughout the entire process by keeping the water temperature between 77°F to 80°F and reducing the water current to a minimum.

Honey Gouramis are bubble nest builders, meaning the male will create a bubble nest at the water’s surface for the eggs. Ensure there is ample vegetation or a styrofoam cup cut in half to help support the nest. The process includes:

1. Male builds the bubble nest
2. Female lays eggs under the nest
3. Male fertilizes eggs and gathers them into the nest

Once the eggs are safely in the nest, remove the female from the tank to prevent any harm from the protective male. Monitor the nest closely for the next 24 to 36 hours to ensure the eggs are properly cared for.

When the eggs hatch (generally within 48 hours), you’ll notice tiny, transparent fry swimming about. At this stage, remove the male to prevent any harm to the new offspring. Lastly, feed the fry with infusoria or other fry-appropriate food, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition to thrive and grow.

Following these guidelines closely will increase your chances of success in breeding Honey Gouramis, and provide you with a unique and captivating experience.

Conclusion

Taking proper care of your Honey Gouramis is crucial for their health and well-being. By following this complete guide for beginners, you’re setting yourself up for success in your new fish-keeping journey. If you have any questions or experiences to share, please leave a comment below – we’d love to hear from you!