Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Also known as Flame Gourami, Powder Blue Gourami
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A brilliantly colored gourami that is both shy and territorial, so it works best as the star of a small tank. Mass-bred stock carries known health problems, which is why it earns only a cautious recommendation. Buy from a careful seller, and pair it with calm schooling fish.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 15 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 72–81 °F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–18 dGH
- Swim zone
- Top
- Min group
- Single fish
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Dwarf Gourami care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Plan on one as the centerpiece of the tank, and read the tank-mate lists before adding others.
- Buy carefully. Mass-bred fish are prone to an incurable iridovirus and bacterial disease.
- Keep only one male per tank, because males can be very aggressive to each other.
- Avoid bettas and gaudy fish such as guppies, which often trigger aggression.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 15 US gallons.
Dwarf Gourami tank mates and swim zone
Top
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Trichogaster chuna
Close relatives can fight over territory. Only try this in a large, well-planted tank.
Trichopodus leerii
Close relatives can fight over territory. Only try this in a large, well-planted tank.
Trichopsis pumila
Sparkling Gourami is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Dwarf Gourami.
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Dwarf Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Ember Tetra.
Boraras brigittae
Dwarf Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Chili Rasbora.
Danio margaritatus
Dwarf Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Celestial Pearl Danio.
Poecilia reticulata
Bright, gaudy fish like Fancy Guppy can trigger aggression in male Dwarf Gourami.
Poecilia wingei
Dwarf Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Endler's Livebearer.
Dwarf Gourami feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes and small pellets as a staple.
- Add frozen foods and some vegetable matter, such as algae wafers.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Males are a little larger and far more colorful. Females are plainer and silvery, with more rounded fins.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Native to
- India, Bangladesh and Assam
- Adult size
- 3.5 in (8.8 cm)
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressive
- Social needs
- Solitary/Centerpiece
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Low/Still
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- Low
- Vulnerable to nippers
- Yes
- Breeding
- Moderate
Dwarf Gourami FAQ
What size tank do Dwarf Gouramis need?
Our sourced minimum is 15 US gallons (56 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Dwarf Gouramis should I keep?
One is fine in a tank this size. Add more only with plenty of extra room and cover.
What can live with Dwarf Gouramis?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Black Neon Tetra. Avoid Ember Tetra and Chili Rasbora.
How long do Dwarf Gouramis live?
Care guides report about 3–5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why did my dwarf gourami die so soon?
Mass-bred dwarf gouramis are prone to dwarf gourami iridovirus, which has no cure. Buy from a careful seller, and quarantine new fish.
Where to buy Dwarf Gourami
We have not found a store that sells Dwarf Gourami under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 15 US gallons (56 L), 60 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.