Red Gold Honey Gourami

Overview

• Scientific Name: Trichogaster chuna
• Common Names: Red Gold Honey Gourami, Honey Gourami, Sunset Gourami
• Type: A small, peaceful labyrinth fish native to the slow-moving waters of India and Bangladesh. Known for its bright and vivid coloration, especially in males.

Appearance

• Body Color:
  • Males: During breeding or peak health, males display a vibrant red or deep orange coloration, transitioning into a golden-yellow towards the head and fins. The throat and chest often turn dark blue or black during courtship.
  • Females: Typically a paler yellow or gold color with a more subtle appearance compared to males.
• Size: Small in size, usually reaching about 2 inches (5 cm) in length.
• Fins: Rounded dorsal and anal fins with a translucent edge. Ventral fins are long and threadlike, serving as tactile organs.
• Lifespan: With good care, they can live for 4-5 years in captivity.

Habitat and Tank Requirements

• Aquarium Size:

  • A minimum of 10 gallons is suitable for a pair, though a larger tank (20 gallons or more) is recommended for community setups or multiple individuals.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C).
  • pH: 6.0-7.5.
  • Hardness: 4-15 dGH.
  • Filtration: Gentle filtration is best, as they prefer calm, slow-moving water. Ensure that the water surface is not too turbulent.
  • Substrate: Fine gravel or sand is suitable. They thrive in tanks with plenty of vegetation, including floating plants, to mimic their natural habitat.

Diet and Feeding

• Diet Type: Omnivorous.
• Feeding Schedule: Feed 2-3 times per day, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes.
• Food Options:
  • High-quality micro-pellets or flakes.
  • Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
  • Vegetable-based foods, such as blanched spinach or spirulina flakes, can be offered occasionally.

Behavior and Temperament

• Social Nature: Peaceful and shy, making them ideal for small, peaceful community tanks.
• Compatibility: Best kept with other peaceful species like tetras, rasboras, and dwarf corydoras. Avoid aggressive or fast-swimming fish that may outcompete them for food or stress them out.
• Activity Level: Fairly active but calm, they prefer to explore the middle and upper areas of the tank, occasionally surfacing for air.
• Temperament: Males can show mild territorial behavior during breeding but are otherwise very peaceful. They generally get along well with other species and their own kind.

Breeding

• Breeding Behavior: Males build bubble nests at the surface to attract females. Courtship involves the male displaying intense colors and chasing the female to the nest.
• Eggs: After spawning, the eggs are placed in the bubble nest, and the male guards them. The eggs typically hatch within 24-36 hours.
• Fry Care: The fry become free-swimming within 3-5 days. It’s best to remove the female after spawning and the male once the fry become independent.

Health and Care

• Regular Maintenance:

  • Perform weekly water changes of 20-25% to maintain water quality.
  • Regularly check water parameters to avoid spikes in ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates.

• Common Diseases:

  • Ich (White Spot Disease): Treat by raising the temperature and using medications.
  • Fin Rot: Caused by poor water conditions. Improve water quality and use antibacterial treatments.
  • Velvet Disease: A parasitic infection that appears as a fine, golden dust on the fish. Treat with copper-based medications or other anti-parasitic treatments.