Blue Gourami

Overview

• Scientific Name: Trichopodus trichopterus
• Common Names: Blue Gourami, Three-Spot Gourami, Opaline Gourami, Gold Gourami

Appearance

• Body Color: Typically, light blue or bluish silver with two dark spots on the body (one near the pectoral fin and one near the tail); the eye is considered the third spot.
• Fins: Long, flowing fins, with males displaying more pointed dorsal fins. The ventral fins are thin and threadlike.
• Size: Can grow up to 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) in length.
• Lifespan: With proper care, they can live for 4-6 years.

Habitat and Tank Requirements

• Aquarium Size:
  • Minimum tank size: 20 gallons for one fish.
  • For groups, a tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended to reduce territorial behavior.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C).
  • pH: 6.0-8.0.
  • Water Hardness: 5-35 dGH.
  • Filtration: Moderate filtration with low water flow, as they prefer slow-moving water.
  • Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel is suitable. They appreciate a tank with live plants for cover.

Diet and Feeding

• Diet Type: Omnivorous.
• Feeding Schedule: Feed 2-3 times per day in small portions that can be consumed within a few minutes.
• Food Options:
  • High-quality flakes or pellets.
  • Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
  • Vegetables such as blanched spinach or zucchini can be offered occasionally.

Behavior and Temperament

• Social Nature: Generally peaceful, but males can be territorial, especially during breeding.
• Compatibility: Suitable for community tanks with peaceful species of similar size (e.g., tetras, mollies, other gouramis). Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species like tiger barbs.
• Activity Level: Active swimmers that prefer the middle to upper parts of the tank.

Breeding

• Breeding Season: Can breed year-round in captivity if conditions are favorable.
• Spawning Behavior: Males build bubble nests at the water surface and entice females to spawn underneath them.
• Eggs: The female releases hundreds of eggs that are placed into the bubble nest by the male. After spawning, remove the female to avoid aggression.
• Egg Hatching: Eggs typically hatch within 24-48 hours, and the male guards the nest until the fry are free-swimming.

Health and Care

• Regular Maintenance:

  • Perform 20-25% water changes weekly to maintain water quality.
  • Keep an eye on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

• Common Diseases:

  • Ich (White Spot Disease): Treat with increased temperature and ich medications.
  • Fin Rot: Can be prevented by maintaining clean water and treated with antibacterial medications.
  • Swim Bladder Issues: Usually caused by overfeeding or poor water quality; adjust diet and water parameters to remedy.