Gouramis are some of the most recognizable freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. They come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and temperaments — from the tiny sparkling gourami that fits in a nano tank to the giant gourami that demands a tank the size of a small swimming pool. 

What they all share is a unique biological trait: a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe oxygen directly from the air at the water’s surface.

If you are new to gouramis or simply trying to figure out which type suits your setup, this guide covers ten of the most popular and widely kept species, what makes each one distinctive, and what you need to keep them well.

1. Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

Size: 2 inches | Tank size: 10 gallons minimum | Temperament: Peaceful, but males can be territorial

The dwarf gourami is probably the most commonly sold gourami in pet stores, and it is easy to see why. The male’s coloration is genuinely striking — vivid red and blue stripes that shimmer under aquarium lighting. Females are more subdued, with a silvery-gray body, but they are no less elegant.

Despite their small size, male dwarf gouramis are fiercely territorial toward other males of the same species. Keep only one male per tank unless you have a large, heavily planted setup. A male-female pair or a single male in a community tank is the safest arrangement.

Dwarf gouramis are sensitive fish. They do not tolerate poor water quality well, and they are prone to a viral illness known as Dwarf Gourami Iridovirus (DGIV), which has no known cure. Buying from a reputable source reduces this risk significantly.

Best for: Smaller community tanks, planted aquariums, beginners who want color without size.

2. Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)

Size: 1.5 to 2 inches | Tank size: 10 to 20 gallons | Temperament: Very peaceful

The honey gourami is often overlooked in favor of its flashier relatives, but experienced fishkeepers frequently rate it as one of the best beginner gouramis available. Males in breeding condition develop a rich golden-orange body with a dark throat — a color combination that is genuinely beautiful in a well-planted tank.

What makes this species particularly appealing is its temperament. Honey gouramis are among the most peaceful gouramis you can keep. They tolerate others of their kind well, which means a small group is entirely possible. A tank of four to six honey gouramis — one or two males with the rest females — creates an active, visually interesting display without the aggression issues common in other species.

They prefer soft, slightly acidic water and thrive in tanks with dense vegetation and floating plants that diffuse the light.

Best for: Nano tanks, community setups, beginners who want a low-conflict tank.

3. Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leerii)

Size: 4 to 5 inches | Tank size: 30 gallons minimum | Temperament: Peaceful

The pearl gourami is widely considered the most beautiful of the medium-sized species. Its body is covered in a fine white pearlescent pattern across a brownish base, and males develop a brilliant orange-red throat during breeding. It is one of those fish that photographs cannot fully capture — you really need to see it under aquarium light to appreciate it.

Pearl gouramis are calm, tolerant, and well-suited to community tanks with other peaceful fish. They can be kept as a single pair or as one male with two to three females in a 30-gallon tank. In larger tanks, a second male may coexist if territories are well established, though this requires careful monitoring.

They prefer planted tanks with plenty of swimming space in the mid and upper levels of the water column.

Best for: Community tanks, aquascapes, intermediate hobbyists looking for a centerpiece fish.

4. Three-Spot Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Size: 4 to 5 inches | Tank size: 35 to 40 gallons | Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The three-spot gourami is perhaps the most variable species in terms of appearance. The “three spots” refer to one spot on the caudal peduncle, one in the middle of the body, and the eye — which counts as the third. Selective breeding has produced many color variants, including the blue gourami, opaline gourami, gold gourami, and cosby gourami. They are all the same species underneath.

This is where the personality shifts. Three-spot gouramis are noticeably more aggressive than the species listed above. Males will fight with other males — and sometimes with other tank mates — especially in cramped conditions. They are best kept one male per tank, with two or three females if desired.

Despite their temperament, they are hardy, adaptable, and long-lived. They are not a bad choice for intermediate keepers who understand their social needs.

Best for: Larger community tanks with robust tank mates, experienced beginners.

5. Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii)

Size: 6 to 12 inches | Tank size: 55 gallons minimum | Temperament: Mostly peaceful, but may bully smaller fish

The kissing gourami gets its name from the lip-to-lip contact individuals make with one another. Contrary to what it looks like, this behavior is not affectionate — it is a display of dominance between rivals. Two kissing gouramis “kissing” are essentially having a standoff.

Available in a pale pink or wild-type silver-green form, kissing gouramis are large, active fish that need significant space. They are primarily herbivores and will graze on algae and soft-leaved plants. Do not expect your aquatic plants to survive long in a tank with kissing gouramis — they will be eaten.

They are generally peaceful toward dissimilar fish but can cause problems for small or slow-moving species. Their mouths can also attach to the bodies of flat-sided fish like angelfish, causing injury.

Best for: Large tanks, experienced keepers, fish-only setups where live plants are not a priority.

6. Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy)

Size: 16 to 24 inches | Tank size: 200 gallons for adults | Temperament: Semi-aggressive; personality varies by individual

The giant gourami is not a fish for the average hobbyist. Adults can reach two feet in length, and they grow faster than many people expect. What often happens is that a buyer purchases a small, endearing juvenile and is unprepared for what it becomes.

That said, giant gouramis have a genuine following among dedicated keepers. They are intelligent fish that recognize their owners, respond to feeding cues, and develop distinct personalities. Some become remarkably tame. In parts of Southeast Asia, they are also an important food fish — a fact that surprises many aquarium hobbyists.

They are omnivores and will eat almost anything: vegetables, fruit, pellets, live food, and smaller tank mates if given the opportunity. Juveniles can be housed temporarily in smaller tanks, but long-term care demands serious space and filtration.

Best for: Dedicated, experienced keepers with very large aquariums or indoor pond setups.

7. Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)

Size: 1 to 1.5 inches | Tank size: 10 gallons | Temperament: Peaceful

Do not let the small size fool you — sparkling gouramis are one of the most captivating fish in the hobby. Under the right lighting, their bodies shimmer with iridescent blue and red spots, and their fins glow with color. They are also one of the few fish species that produce audible sounds, a soft croaking made by the males during courtship.

Unlike most gouramis, sparkling gouramis genuinely enjoy living in groups. A colony of six to eight in a densely planted nano tank is a delight to watch. Males spar occasionally, but rarely cause injury. They are ideal for small aquariums and do especially well in blackwater setups with soft, acidic water, dim lighting, and leaf litter.

Best for: Nano tanks, blackwater aquascapes, hobbyists who want something truly different.

8. Moonlight Gourami (Trichogaster microlepis)

Size: 5 to 6 inches | Tank size: 30 to 40 gallons | Temperament: Peaceful, slightly shy

The moonlight gourami has a quiet, understated beauty. Its body is a smooth, silvery color with a very faint greenish sheen — like moonlight on still water, which is where the name comes from. The ventral fins are long, threadlike, and often tinged with orange or red in males.

Moonlight gouramis are calm and somewhat timid. They do best in peaceful community tanks with similarly gentle tank mates. Avoid pairing them with aggressive fish, which will stress them easily. They prefer a planted tank with a gentle current and subdued lighting.

They are not as commonly stocked in pet stores as dwarf or pearl gouramis, but they are worth seeking out. Their calm demeanor and elegant appearance make them an excellent choice for a serene, well-planned aquarium.

Best for: Peaceful community tanks, larger planted aquariums, intermediate keepers.

9. Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides)

Size: 2 inches | Tank size: 20 to 30 gallons | Temperament: Peaceful, but delicate

The chocolate gourami is a fish for the patient and experienced. Its deep brown body with cream-colored vertical banding is attractive, but this species is genuinely challenging to keep. It requires very specific water conditions — soft, acidic water (pH 4.0 to 6.0) with a temperature on the warmer side (around 82°F / 28°C). It is also sensitive to nitrates and does not tolerate even mild water quality issues.

In the right conditions, chocolate gouramis are a remarkable fish. They are mouthbrooders — the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they are ready to be released — which makes observing their breeding behavior a special experience.

This species is not recommended for beginners. It demands near-perfect water chemistry and a mature, stable tank. But for the keeper willing to meet those requirements, it is deeply rewarding.

Best for: Advanced keepers, species-only blackwater setups, hobbyists interested in breeding challenges.

10. Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus species)

Size: 1 to 1.5 inches | Tank size: 5 to 15 gallons | Temperament: Very peaceful, timid

The licorice gourami is a group of small, rare, and often endangered species native to the blackwater peat swamps of Southeast Asia. Several species exist within the Parosphromenus genus, and while they vary in color pattern, all share a slender body and extraordinary finnage in males — iridescent blues, reds, and golds that rival any reef fish.

These fish are not commonly found in mainstream pet stores. They are typically available through specialist breeders and dedicated hobbyist networks, including the Parosphromenus Project, which works to conserve these species through captive breeding.

Care requirements are similar to chocolate gouramis — extremely soft, acidic water, dim conditions, and a species-only or very carefully selected community setup. They eat small live or frozen foods and can be reluctant to accept dry food.

For those drawn to rare, delicate, and genuinely beautiful fish, licorice gouramis represent the far end of the gourami spectrum — remote, demanding, and utterly worth the effort.

Best for: Specialist keepers, conservation-minded hobbyists, experienced blackwater aquarists.

How to Choose the Right Gourami for Your Tank

With ten species to consider, the decision comes down to a few practical questions.

Tank size is the first filter. If you have a 10-gallon tank, you are looking at dwarf, honey, or sparkling gouramis. A 30-gallon setup opens the door to pearl and moonlight gouramis. Anything involving a three-spot, kissing, or giant gourami requires a significantly larger commitment.

Experience level matters too. Honey and pearl gouramis are genuinely beginner-friendly. Chocolate and licorice gouramis are not. Be honest about where you are in the hobby before choosing a species that demands expert-level water management.

Tank mates shape the decision as well. A three-spot gourami in a tank full of small tetras is a problem waiting to happen. A honey gourami in the same tank is fine.

Finally, consider what you want to watch. Do you want color? Go with dwarf or pearl gouramis. Do you want interesting behavior? Sparkling gouramis and their croaking, or kissing gouramis and their face-offs, offer something most fish simply do not. Do you want a fish that knows you exist? A giant gourami might be your answer, if you have the space.

Suggested For You:

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Final Thoughts

Gouramis are a diverse, fascinating family of fish. The ten species covered here represent a broad range — from the nano-sized sparkling gourami to the near-mythical giant, from the beginner-friendly honey gourami to the demanding chocolate species. There is genuinely something in this family for every level of fishkeeper.

Whatever species you choose, the fundamentals remain the same: a stable, well-filtered tank, appropriate water parameters, compatible tank mates, and a thoughtful approach to stocking numbers. Get those right, and gouramis will reward you with years of color, movement, and quiet fascination.