Honey Gourami

Among gouramis, the honey gourami is one of the smallest species, with adults rarely exceeding 5 cm. Its body shape resembles that of the dwarf gourami, but its fins are considerably smaller. The basic colouration consists of silvery-grey and pale yellow tones, often marked by a dark horizontal stripe along the body centre. During spawning, males transform: their anal and caudal fins become deep honey or reddish-orange, and the belly turns dark blue. Several selectively bred forms exist, including red and gold varieties. These forms are more popular than the wild type because of their bright colours, which remain stable even in the retail trade. The female's colouration remains constant throughout her life, whereas males become much brighter and more saturated during spawning.

The natural range of this species is South Asia: the basins of the Ganges and Brahmaputra in northern India, including the floodplain and delta in Bangladesh, with records from Nepal. They inhabit diverse water bodies—rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches and even seasonally flooded fields. Many of these areas experience seasonal changes caused by annual monsoons from June to October. Honey gouramis prefer environments rich in aquatic vegetation and with weak flow or stagnant water. Their diet consists of various small invertebrates, insects and zooplankton. Notably, they use a unique hunting method: they can capture prey above the water surface. When aligned with their target, the fish rapidly contracts its mouth cavity, releasing a stream of water that knocks the insect off a branch, leaf or even in flight.

The honey gourami is peaceful and rather shy, requiring considerable time to adapt to a new aquarium environment. Active and energetic tank mates can easily frighten them, so quiet, small fish—such as members of the carp family—make better companions. Keep them in a group of at least 4–6 individuals: they do not form schools, but they need the company of their own kind and behave more interestingly in a group. A hierarchy develops within the group, with a dominant individual. Honey gouramis often form long-lasting pairs.

The honey gourami is undemanding and adapts well to limited tank space. Maintain water quality with an efficient filter system and a 25% water change every week. When choosing a filter, account for their preference for weak or no flow—avoid devices that create strong currents. Other essential equipment includes an air pump, lighting and a heater. A lid is essential: it prevents splashing during hunting of flying insects and minimizes damage to the labyrinth organ during air breathing by maintaining a layer of warm, humid air above the water. In tank decoration, provide numerous hiding places and shelters, especially important when kept with larger fish. Place plants in groups near shelters or along the side walls. Dark substrate will enhance the fish's natural colours.

In the home aquarium these fish readily accept various dry commercial foods such as flakes and pellets. It is recommended to add plant-based components to their diet. Specialized gouramis foods are available on the market; they enhance colour and contain all necessary vitamins, minerals and plant matter. Feed once or twice a day.

Breeding this species is relatively simple. The fish build a bubble nest; if floating leaves are present in the tank, they provide a good anchor point. Unlike the closely related dwarf gourami, the male honey gourami tolerates the female after spawning and guards the clutch. If other fish are present with the pair, use a separate breeding tank. A volume of 20 litres is sufficient, with a water level not exceeding 20 cm and parameters matching the main tank. You will need a simple air-lift filter, an air pump, a heater and lighting. Floating plants with broad leaves are important: the male builds his nest beneath them, making it more stable than on the open surface. Add meat products to the daily diet to stimulate spawning. After some time the female will become noticeably round with eggs and the male will become even more colourful. At this point, move the pair to the breeding tank. Once nest construction is complete, courtship begins: the male swims around the female, inviting her to follow him to the nest. This continues until the female starts releasing eggs. The female releases several dozen eggs at a time, which the male immediately fertilizes and carefully transfers to the nest. The total clutch can exceed 300 eggs. After spawning, the male vigilantly guards the developing brood from all comers, including the female—return her to the main tank. The fry hatch in 24–36 hours depending on water temperature. After the young appear the male may also leave the nest. After three days the fry begin to swim freely around the tank; feed them with specialized fry food available in aquarium shops.

In an aquarium with an established stable ecosystem and proper water parameters, fish usually encounter no health problems. However, any deterioration in conditions can trigger various diseases; one of the most common is velvet. In recent years, many fish on the market have been infected with incurable viral strains. This is because commercial hatcheries use hormonal additives to enhance colour. Always quarantine new fish for at least 2 weeks before adding them to the main tank.

When selecting honey gouramis, choose individuals with clean fins and no visible damage, sores or white deposits on the body. A healthy fish should be active, interested in its surroundings and not constantly hiding in tank corners. Avoid fish that appear emaciated, with sunken bellies or unnaturally swollen areas, as this may indicate internal parasites or bacterial infection. Given the risk of purchasing fish from commercial hatcheries where hormonal treatments are often used to intensify colour, choose fish with natural colouration and always quarantine them for at least two weeks before moving them to the main tank.