Gold Gouramis: How Big Do They Grow?

Gold gouramis are a colour variation of the blue gourami, sporting deep orange and lighter orange shading with rust-coloured markings. They are considered labyrinth fish, meaning they can breathe directly from the air and require access to the surface of their aquarium. They are semi-aggressive and territorial, particularly the males, and can grow up to 6 inches in length.

Gold gouramis are semi-aggressive and territorial

Gold gouramis are labyrinth fish, which means they breathe directly from the air and should have access to the surface of the aquarium. They are native to swamps or pools of low-water quality and slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, canals, wetlands, and temporary pools. They require a water temperature of 72-82° F, KH 4-18, and a pH of 6.0-8.0. The minimum tank size is 20 gallons, and the tank should have plenty of live plants, rocks, and driftwood for hiding places.

Gold gouramis are omnivores and require a varied diet of algae-based foods, meaty foods, and commercial pellets or flakes. They are easy to breed, but the female should be removed from the tank after spawning, as the male may become aggressive toward her.

They require a minimum tank size of 20 gallons

Gold gouramis are a colour variation of the blue gourami, with deep orange and lighter orange shading, and rust-coloured markings. They are considered labyrinth fish, which means they breathe directly from the air and require access to the surface of the aquarium.

Gold gouramis are semi-aggressive and territorial, particularly the males. They are peaceful as juveniles but can become belligerent as they mature. They are best housed with tank mates of a similar size and temperament, such as larger tetras, livebearers, peaceful barbs, most danios, and angelfish.

Gold gouramis require a minimum tank size of 20 gallons. The ideal tank setup would include plenty of live plants, as well as rocks and driftwood to provide hiding places. The tank should be tall, as gold gouramis are surface-oriented and often swim to the surface to breathe air. It should also have a secure lid to prevent them from jumping out.

Gold gouramis are omnivores and require a varied diet of live, fresh, and commercial foods. They can be fed algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp, to provide proper nutrition.

Gold gouramis are known for their vibrant gold tones with rich striping. They can grow up to 6 inches in length. They are native to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam.

They are labyrinth fish, meaning they breathe directly from the air

Gold gouramis are labyrinth fish, which means they have a lung-like labyrinth organ that enables them to breathe air directly from the surface of the water. This organ is a defining characteristic of gouramis, allowing them to absorb oxygen directly into their bloodstream. As a result, gold gouramis can survive for short periods out of water, as long as they remain moist.

The labyrinth organ is not functional in young gold gouramis, and they initially rely entirely on their gills for breathing. As they grow older, they gradually develop the labyrinth organ, which becomes more prominent in low-oxygen waters. In the wild, this adaptation allows gold gouramis to inhabit shallow, stagnant, and oxygen-poor waters, such as swamps or pools with low water quality.

In an aquarium setting, gold gouramis need access to the water's surface to breathe air. They should be provided with floating plants that cover only part of the surface, as they require space to breathe. It is important to note that while the labyrinth organ allows gold gouramis to survive in oxygen-depleted water, regular water changes are still necessary to prevent tissue damage from built-up toxins.

Gold gouramis are typically found in slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, canals, wetlands, and temporary pools. They are native to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam, where they inhabit heavily vegetated waters. In captivity, gold gouramis are known to be peaceful fish with comical behaviour, especially when they are young. They can be housed with tank mates of similar size and temperament, although males can become territorial with each other.

They are omnivores and require a varied diet

Gold gouramis are omnivores and require a varied diet. They can eat just about anything, including plants and meat. In the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of foods, including:

• Live food such as small fish, dwarf shrimp, and worms
• Flake food and pellets
• Fresh vegetables like zucchini, peas, and leafy greens

It is important to provide a balanced diet for gold gouramis to prevent bloating. Too much protein will cause bloating, so it is essential to mix in green vegetables with their meals. They should be fed once or twice a day, with only enough food that they can consume in two minutes to avoid any water quality issues.

They are a colour morph of the three-spot gourami

Gold gouramis are a colour morph of the three-spot gourami, also known as Trichopodus trichopterus. This species of fish is native to southeastern Asia, specifically Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam, and was first developed in captivity for the aquarium trade in 1970. They are distinguished by their deep orange colour with lighter orange shading and lack the two dark spots seen on their parentage.

Gold gouramis are a colour variation of the Blue Gourami, featuring rust-coloured markings instead of spots. They are known for their vibrant gold tones with rich striping. These fish can grow up to 6 inches in length and can sometimes become belligerent and territorial, although this behaviour is usually limited to the males of the species.

Gold gouramis are considered labyrinth fish, meaning they breathe directly from the air and should have access to the surface of the aquarium. They possess a labyrinth organ, which is a structure that allows them to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream. This adaptation enables them to survive in shallow, stagnant, oxygen-poor water in their natural habitat.

In terms of care, gold gouramis are semi-aggressive and can be housed with tank mates of similar size and temperament. They require a minimum tank size of 20 gallons, with plenty of live plants, rocks, and driftwood for hiding places. They are omnivores and require a diet of both algae-based and meaty foods, such as algae-based flake food, freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp.

To differentiate between male and female gold gouramis, look at their dorsal fins. Males have long and pointed dorsal fins, while females have shorter and rounded fins. When ready to breed, the male builds a bubble nest, flaunts his fins, and raises his tail to entice a female. After spawning, it is recommended to separate the female to a different tank as the male may become aggressive towards her.

Frequently asked questions