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Pearl Gourami Fish Species Profile

Characteristics, Origin, and Helpful Information for Hobbyists

Trichogaster leeri - Pearl Gourami
Stefan Maurer

The pearl gourami is not only one of the most attractive gouramis but also one of the hardiest and easiest to keep. It is a labyrinth fish, meaning that it can gulp air at the surface of the water and hold it in its labyrinth chamber of the first gill arch, which is a lung-like organ that enables it to breathe air in addition to using gills. Like some other labyrinth fish, the pearl gourami can vocalize; don't be surprised if you hear your pet "talking" with growling or croaking noises, especially when breeding, or fighting with another male. Here's what you need to know about the pearl gourami fish species.

Species Overview

Common Names: Pearl gourami, mosaic gourami, lace gourami, diamond gourami, leeri gourami

Scientific Name: Trichopodus leerii

Adult Size: 4.5 inches (12 centimeters)

Life Expectancy: 4 to 5 years

Characteristics

Family Osphronemidae
Origin Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Thailand
Social Peaceful, but males may be territorial
Tank Level Top, mid-dweller
Minimum Tank Size 20 gallons
Diet Omnivore
Breeding Bubble nest builder
Care Easy
pH 5.5 to 7.5
Hardness 2 to 30 dH
Temperature 77 F to 82 F (25 C to 28 C)

Origin and Distribution

This species originates in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They prefer acidic water found in lowland swamps near the sea. Some pearl gouramis have been introduced to Singapore and Colombia. It's rare to find wild pearl gouramis for sale as aquarium fish as they are readily bred in captivity. 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists the status of this species as Near Threatened due to damming of rivers and water management use, modifications of its natural ecosystems due to logging, and direct harvesting of the wild populations of this fish.

Colors and Markings

Like others in its family, the body shape is elongated and laterally compressed. The ventral (pelvic) fins are long and thin, and they have the appearance of long feelers, as suggested by the Genus name Trichopodus, which means "hair-feet." The mouth is small and upturned, indicating that they often feed at the surface of the water. Pearly spots on a brown background covering the body give it a mother-of-pearl appearance, from which it derives its name. A horizontal black line runs from the mouth, across the eye, to the tail, where it ends in a spot. They exhibit orange coloring on the ventral head, which becomes much brighter at breeding time and is used to attract a mate.

Tankmates

Pearl gourami are generally peaceful fish that do well in a large community aquarium; however, avoid keeping them with overly aggressive tankmates. There are a few exceptions to this rule: the males, in particular, may become aggressive to others of the same species (or other gouramis in general). It is best to keep these fish with other species of about the same size and temperament; they can also live happily with other small schooling fish. If you are keeping several pearl gouramis, a good grouping includes one male and several females. 

Pearl Gourami Habitat and Care

Accustomed to heavy vegetation in their natural habitat, pearl gouramis will thrive if given similar conditions in the aquarium. Floating plants, subdued lighting, and a dark substrate are ideal. Although they prefer soft, acidic water, they are adaptable to a range of water conditions. This adaptability and their peaceful nature make them well suited to community aquariums.

Pearl Gourami Diet and Feeding

Pearl gouramis will accept many foods and are generally quite easy to feed. Flake, freeze-dried, and frozen foods are all readily taken. For optimum health, occasionally offer fresh vegetables such as romaine lettuce, cooked peas, and spinach as part of a varied diet. Live foods such as blackworms, brine shrimp, and glass worms are a good treat and should be used when conditioning fish for breeding.

Gender Differences

Male pearl gouramis have thinner, more angular bodies than females. They also have slightly longer fins, sport a red breast, and are generally more colorful than females. Adult males are easy to distinguish from the females by their deep red-orange coloration on the throat and breast. Another clue is the dorsal fin, which is longer and more pointed on the male than the female. When ready to spawn, the female will have a much plumper body than the male.

Breeding the Pearl Gourami

Breeding is relatively simple. Prior to breeding, feed the pair live or frozen brine shrimp and worms for conditioning. Provide plenty of floating plants and raise the water temperature to approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Reduce the water in the breeding tank to a depth of about six inches, so that the fry will have easy access to surface air to promote normal development of the labyrinth organ.

The breeding process begins when the male builds a bubble nest of up to 10 inches in diameter amid the floating plants; spawning will take place beneath it. After the nest is complete, he will begin to display to the female. As the female approaches the nest, both fish can be seen touching each other with their pelvic fin feelers.

During spawning, the male wraps his body around the female, who will release hundreds of eggs. The male fertilizes the eggs as they are released by the female. The eggs float upwards into the nest and the male shepherds any strays and puts them into the bubble nest using his mouth. Several more spawning couplings occur and 200 to 300 eggs may be produced. After the eggs have been laid, the female is chased away. It is best to remove her at this point or she may be seriously harmed by the guardian male. Only the male tends to the eggs in the bubble next. After approximately four days, all of the fry (baby fish) will be free swimming and the male should then be removed to avoid him mistaking the young for food.

Feed the fry liquid food or infusoria culture several times a day. Offer freshly hatched or frozen brine shrimp at about two weeks of age. Fine-ground flake foods may be offered once they are approximately one month old. Perform water changes every two to three days. As the fry grow larger, distribute them between several tanks to reduce the lethal build-up of wastes. Poor growth or sudden loss of fry is often due to excessive waste creating poor water quality. If the fry are crowded, they will not grow as well and may incur losses.

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research

There are many different gourami species; all have interesting markings, and all are labyrinth fish that can gulp air at the surface of the tank. If you’re interested in similar fish species, you may consider:

Check out additional fish species profiles for more information on other freshwater fish.

FAQ
  • Can you keep one pearl gourami?

    Keeping a single pearl gourami is possible, but as social and relatively peaceful fish, they are generally happier and less stressed when kept in small groups. In the wild, they are known to form small communities and interact with their own kind. Ideally, it's best to keep pearl gouramis in groups of at least 3 to 5 individuals. This allows them to display more natural behaviors, feel secure, and establish their social hierarchy within the group. It is best to have more females than males, as males may become territorial and fight with each other.

  • Can you keep a pearl gourami in a 10-gallon tank?

    It is not recommended to keep a pearl gourami in a 10-gallon aquarium. While young pearl gouramis may be small enough to fit in a 10-gallon aquarium initially, they are not suitable for long-term housing in such a small space. For a single Pearl Gourami, a 20-gallon aquarium is recommended. If you plan to keep a group of them, a 40-gallon tank or larger would be more suitable.

  • How big does a pearl gourami get?

    The pearl gourami is a relatively large gourami species that can grow to an adult size of around 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 centimeters) in length. When properly cared for and provided with adequate space and a balanced diet, they can reach their full size within a year or two.

  • Are pearl gouramis peaceful?

    Yes, pearl gouramis are generally peaceful fish. They are known for their calm temperament and are a popular choice for community aquariums. However, like all fish, their behavior can be influenced by various factors, including tank size, water parameters, and the presence of other fish.

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  1. IUCN Red List Of Threatened Species: Trichopodus LeeriiInternational Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Of Threatened Species