Honey Gourami: Color Development

The Dwarf Honey Gourami, scientifically known as Trichogaster (Colisa) chuna, is a freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. It is a peaceful fish with a unique coloration and personality, making it a popular choice for aquariums. There are several colour varieties, including the wild type with a brownish-grey body and stripes, the yellow gold variety with a bright yellow body and red markings, and the red variety with a deep red body and black markings on the fins.

The colour of male Dwarf Honey Gouramis can change drastically and rapidly. For example, their throats and bellies can turn dark blue-black when courting a female. Male gouramis also build bubble nests to attract females.

Male honey gouramis turn blue-black when courting a female

Male honey gouramis will often develop a black breeding jacket during the mating season, with their throats and bellies turning dark blue-black. This colour change is a sign of maturity and readiness for breeding, and it is completely normal and healthy. The black breeding jacket can extend from just under the fish's eye all the way to the tip of its anal fin, and dominant males may exhibit a larger black breeding jacket. Male honey gouramis with this colouring may be more aggressive towards other males.

The colour change in male honey gouramis is not always uniform, and there may be a stage where there are small patches of black on the belly before the full breeding jacket develops. Some males may only develop a patchy breeding jacket, especially if there is a dominant male in the tank.

The colour change in male honey gouramis is a natural process and a sign of health. However, female honey gouramis may also turn black due to other factors such as hybrid DNA, old age, diet, injury, or changes in substrate and background colour. It is important for fish enthusiasts to distinguish between natural colourations and potential health issues to ensure the well-being of their fish.

The wild type has a predominantly brownish-grey body with stripes

The Dwarf Honey Gourami, scientifically known as Trichogaster (Colisa) chuna, is a beautiful freshwater fish with a peaceful temperament. Native to the streams and rice paddies of Southeast Asia, these fish are popular among aquarists due to their unique coloration and friendly personalities.

The wild type of Dwarf Honey Gourami sports a predominantly brownish-grey body with stripes. This natural colouration sets them apart from other varieties, such as the yellow gold and red types, which have brighter hues. The yellow gold variety, for instance, boasts a bright yellow body accented with red markings, while the red variety displays a deep red body adorned with black markings on its fins.

The wild type's brownish-grey body colour serves as the perfect base for the distinctive stripes that adorn their bodies. These stripes, which can vary in thickness and number, often start from the head and run along the length of the body, sometimes extending onto the fins. The stripes may be darker or lighter shades of brown, creating a subtle contrast against the base body colour.

The brownish-grey colouration of the wild type is a result of the natural pigments in their skin. This colouration likely serves as a form of camouflage in their natural habitat, helping them blend in with the murky waters and dense vegetation of their environment. The stripes, on the other hand, may serve as a form of communication or recognition between members of the same species.

The wild type's colouration can also vary depending on the lighting and water conditions in their environment. For example, the brownish-grey hue may appear darker or lighter depending on the lighting intensity and water clarity. Additionally, factors such as diet, age, and breeding status can also influence the intensity and distribution of their stripes.

In conclusion, the wild type Dwarf Honey Gourami's predominantly brownish-grey body with stripes is a beautiful and unique colouration that sets them apart from other varieties. This natural colouration not only serves a functional purpose in the wild but also adds a subtle pop of colour to any aquarium, making them a charming and interesting addition to any freshwater tank.

Yellow gold honey gouramis have a bright yellow body with red markings

The Dwarf Honey Gourami, scientifically known as Trichogaster (Colisa) chuna, is a beautiful freshwater fish native to the streams and rice paddies of Southeast Asia. It is a popular choice among aquarists due to its unique coloration and peaceful personality.

One of the most common varieties found in fish stores is the yellow gold honey gourami, which sports a bright yellow body with red markings. This striking colour combination makes for a captivating spectacle in any aquarium. The yellow gold variety is not the only colour option available, however, as Dwarf Honey Gouramis also come in wild and red varieties. The wild type has a predominantly brownish-grey body with stripes, while the red variety has a deep red body with black markings on the fins.

To ensure the health and happiness of your Dwarf Honey Gourami, it is important to provide them with the ideal tank setup. They thrive in a tank with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 and a temperature range of 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is required, but larger tanks are recommended to provide them with ample swimming space.

Dwarf Honey Gouramis are peaceful fish that can coexist harmoniously with other peaceful fish species. However, it is important to avoid keeping them with larger or more aggressive fish that may bully or harm them. These gouramis can be kept in pairs or small groups and thrive in a planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots.

In terms of diet, Dwarf Honey Gouramis enjoy a varied diet that includes pellet food, such as NorthFin, and live daphnia. It is important to feed them small, frequent meals throughout the day to keep them healthy and happy.

Overall, the Dwarf Honey Gourami is a beautiful and peaceful fish that is sure to add a pop of colour and a sense of serenity to any freshwater aquarium. With its unique coloration and friendly personality, it is a great choice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

The red variety has a deep red body with black markings on the fins

The Dwarf Honey Gourami, scientifically known as Trichogaster (Colisa) chuna, is a peaceful fish species native to the waters of Southeast Asia. It is a popular choice for freshwater aquariums due to its unique coloration and friendly personality.

Among the several colour varieties of Dwarf Honey Gourami, the red variety stands out for its striking appearance. This variety boasts a deep red body with black markings on the fins, creating a bold contrast that is sure to catch the eye. The red variety is not the only option, though; there are also the wild type, with a predominantly brownish-grey body and stripes, and the yellow gold variety, which has a bright yellow body with red markings.

The colour of male Dwarf Honey Gouramis can change drastically and rapidly. For example, they can shift from a solid gold colour to a deep red with a black underside around the throat, sometimes with a yellow accent to their fins. These colour changes may be related to breeding behaviour, as male gouramis' throats can turn dark blue-black when courting a female.

The Dwarf Honey Gourami is not to be confused with the Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius), which is a different species that grows to a larger size, around 3 inches (8 cm), and exhibits a greater number of colour varieties. The Dwarf Honey Gourami typically stays around 2 inches (5 cm) in length.

To ensure the health and happiness of Dwarf Honey Gouramis, aquarists should provide them with the ideal tank setup. They thrive in a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 and a temperature range of 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended, with larger tanks preferred to provide ample swimming space. These fish are peaceful and can coexist with other non-aggressive fish species. They can be kept in pairs or small groups and prefer a planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots.

Honey gouramis are susceptible to skin disease

Honey gouramis are also prone to velvet disease, caused by the parasite Oodinium pilularis, which can live in the gills, skin, and mouth of the fish. Symptoms include a brownish or golden "dust" over the fins and body, scratching their bodies against hard objects, weight loss and loss of appetite, labored or rapid breathing, and fins clamping close to the body. To treat velvet disease, raise the water temperature, dim the lights for several days, add aquarium salt, and treat with copper sulfate for ten days.

Another disease that honey gouramis are susceptible to is Hole in the Head Disease, or Hexamita, which is identified by ulcerations or "holes" in the fish's head or along the lateral line of the body. This disease can be caused by a virus, a protozoan, severe stress, an autoimmune response, or a dietary deficiency. It is most commonly found in overcrowded tanks with poor water quality. To treat Hexamita, perform a partial water change, and if symptoms persist, treat with metronidazole (Flagyl).

To prevent these diseases, it is important to quarantine any new fish or invertebrates before introducing them to the aquarium, provide a well-balanced and nutritionally viable diet, and maintain good water quality with regular water changes.

Frequently asked questions