Honey gouramis are peaceful, colorful labyrinth fish that make excellent small “centerpiece” inhabitants for planted community aquariums. They prefer warm, stable water with gentle flow, floating plants, and shaded areas, and they need access to the surface to breathe air. They are usually calm with other species but can be mildly territorial toward other gouramis, especially males in smaller tanks. In a planted setup with compatible tankmates, they become confident, curious fish with lots of personality.
Quick Specs
Water parameters
| Temperature: | 75–82°F (24–28°C). Keep it stable; warm water should be well-oxygenated and calm at the surface. |
| pH: | 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral; stability matters most). |
| Hardness: | 2–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard). |
| Other: | Ammonia and nitrites must be 0 ppm at all times. Keep nitrates low (ideally under ~20–30 ppm) through regular water changes and stable filtration. Honey gouramis are labyrinth fish and need access to the surface to breathe air, so avoid heavy surface turbulence and keep the surface clear. A mature, stable tank reduces stress and disease risk. |
| Water changes: | Change about 20–30% weekly to keep water quality stable. In smaller tanks or if the tank is heavily stocked, 15–20% twice weekly can improve stability and reduce stress. |
Behavior & compatibility
Schooling Behavior: Honey gouramis are not schooling fish. They are best kept singly, as a pair, or as a small harem group (often 1 male with 2 females) with plenty of cover. Males can be mildly territorial, especially in smaller tanks or during breeding behavior.Temperament: Honey gouramis are generally peaceful and not fin-nippers. Males can show mild territorial behavior toward other gouramis, especially in small tanks or during breeding. They are more likely to be bullied by aggressive fish than to bully others.
Centrepiece: Honey gouramis can be a great small ‘centerpiece’ fish in planted community tanks because of their color, calm behavior, and interesting labyrinth-fish traits.
Prolific or Livebearing:They are egg layers (not livebearers). Honey gouramis are bubble-nest builders and can breed in captivity when conditions are calm and planted, but they are not typically prolific in community tanks without intentional breeding setup.
Swimming zone:Honey gouramis mostly occupy the middle to upper water levels and frequently visit the surface for air.
Interaction with Plants:Excellent with plants and benefits strongly from planted tanks, especially floating plants. Plants provide cover, reduce stress, and support natural behavior (including bubble-nest building).
Setup essentials
Lid: A tank cover is preferred. It reduces evaporation, prevents occasional jumping, and helps keep warm, humid air above the surface, which labyrinth fish benefit from.Filter: A filter is necessary. Use gentle filtration (sponge filter or baffled HOB) to maintain water quality without strong current. Stable biofiltration is important for long-term health.
Substrate: Sand or fine gravel both work well. Darker substrate with plants and driftwood is often preferred because it reduces stress and improves coloration.
Lighting: Special lighting isn’t required, but moderate aquarium lighting is preferred for viewing and plant growth. Floating plants or shaded areas help honey gouramis feel secure and can improve coloration and behavior.
Heater: A heater is preferred and often necessary to maintain a stable tropical range (24–28°C), especially in cooler rooms or during seasonal swings.
Air Pump: An air pump is not necessary if the filter provides gentle surface movement. If oxygen is low (warm water, heavy stocking), gentle aeration can help, but avoid strong surface agitation because labyrinth fish prefer calmer surfaces.
Feeding Regimen
Feed 1–2 times per day in small portions. Offer quality micro pellets/flakes plus frozen/live foods (brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms) a few times per week. They can be slower feeders than fast schooling fish, so ensure they get food.Lifespan
With proper care, honey gouramis typically live about 4–6 years.Tank Mates
Good tank mates
peaceful community fish (harlequin rasboras, rummy-nose/cardinal tetras in appropriate tanks), corydoras, otocinclus, bristlenose pleco (space dependent), kuhli loaches, snails, many shrimp (adult shrimp usually fine).
Avoid
aggressive fish, strong fin-nippers (tiger barbs/serpae tetras), large boisterous fish that stress them, and keeping multiple males in smaller tanks.
Note
provide floating plants and calm surface areas; ensure they aren’t outcompeted at feeding time.
Common problems + quick fixes
Add plants (especially floating plants), reduce harsh lighting, provide cover, and ensure gentle flow.
Feed in multiple spots, use slower-sinking foods, and ensure the gourami gets its share (especially at the surface).
Keep only one male in smaller tanks, add line-of-sight breaks, and provide more space/caves/plants.
Baffle filter outflow, reduce surface agitation, and keep the surface area calm and accessible.
Interesting Facts
Honey gouramis are bubble-nest builders: males may create nests under floating plants when comfortable. Their coloration can deepen dramatically when they feel secure and when males are displaying, sometimes showing darker throat/chest tones. Because they breathe air, they often visit the surface - this is normal behavior, not necessarily a sign of low oxygen (though good oxygenation is still important).