Blue Gourami

How To Care For Blue Gourami

The Blue Gourami (also known as the Three Spot Gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus) is a hardy and popular freshwater fish, loved for its shimmering blue body and peaceful appearance. It usually grows up to 4–6 inches and males are often more colorful than females. A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended, with water kept between 24–28°C (75–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Being a semi-aggressive species, Blue Gouramis can sometimes show territorial behavior, especially between males, so it’s best to avoid housing multiple males together in small tanks. They are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet of flakes, pellets, frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, as well as blanched vegetables such as peas or spinach. Blue Gouramis make good tankmates for peaceful species like tetras, mollies, swordtails, and rasboras, but they should not be kept with very small or long-finned fish that may be bullied. Since they are labyrinth fish, they can breathe air from the surface, so a covered aquarium with some open air space above the water is important. Adding live plants and hiding spaces helps reduce stress and keeps them happy. With proper care, Blue Gouramis can live up to 4–6 years, making them a wonderful addition to a community aquarium.