Male Pearl Gourami

A terrific addition to a community tank is the Pearl Gourami. Its distinctive markings and friendly nature makes them very suitable for the tropical freshwater community tank.

Pearl Gourami's are a relatively large fish, growing to a maximum of 11cm. They are hardy and extremely easy to care for. As with all Gourami's, they are egglayers and will build a bubblenest to breed.

This very colourful fish features an overall silver look, with a black lateral line extending from the snout, through the eye, to the beginning of the tail fin, or "caudal fin." Fine spotting exists all over the body of the fish, with a golden colour on the chest area.

Pearl Gourami's feature long thin pelvic fins that are effectively used as feelers. It is a peaceful fish that is well suited to most tropical aqauriums.

Pearl Gourami's possess a labryinth organ, which allows them to breath air directly. You will notice them constantly visiting the water's surface to breathe. In the wild, this allows them to live in swamps or pools of low water quality.

Pearl Gourami's generally habitat the mid to top level of the aquarium.

Males can be identified by a brilliant-red in the chest area and a longer dorsal fin, where as females have a more rounded dorsal fin.

Pearl Gourami's are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods including flake food, live or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, algae and plants.

In the home aquarium, it is good practice to offer the Golden Gourami a well planted tank with a variety of foods.