Pearl gourami

Water parameters

Tolerated range for this species. Aim for the middle of each band rather than the extremes.

Tank and habitat

Substrate: any.

Behavior

Plant interaction: plant safe.

Feeding

Omnivore that accepts flake, pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Not a picky eater. Feeds at the surface and midwater. Two feedings per day. Pearl gouramis also pick at small insects and organisms on the surface film, which is natural labyrinth fish behavior. Quality food brings out the pearlescent coloring and the male's orange throat.

Compatibility

• Peaceful for a gourami. Less territorial and aggressive than dwarf gouramis or three-spot gouramis.
• Good tankmates: tetras, rasboras, corydoras, loaches, bristlenose plecos, angelfish (with caution, as both occupy the midwater).
• Males are territorial with each other but the aggression is display-based (flaring, chasing) rather than physical damage. One male per 150 L is safe.
• Avoid very small tankmates that might be bullied. Avoid active fin nippers.
• Does not carry the DGIV virus risk that plagues dwarf gouramis, which makes it a more reliable choice.

Origin and habitat

Native to Southeast Asia, found in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Inhabits lowland swamps with acidic water, often in coastal regions. Introduced populations exist in Singapore and Colombia. Originally described as Trichopus leerii by Pieter Bleeker in 1852; the type specimen was collected at Palembang, Sumatra by Lt.-Col. J.M. van Leer, for whom the species is named. The genus was long placed under Trichogaster due to a 1923 misinterpretation by Myers, but was corrected back to Trichopodus by Topfer and Schindler (2009) and Tan and Kottelat (2009). Also known as the lace gourami, mosaic gourami, or leeri gourami. Listed as IUCN Near Threatened due to habitat loss and degradation, especially in central Thailand and the Malay Peninsula. Grows to about 12 cm total length. Body covered in a pearl-like pattern of white dots with a dark horizontal line from head to tail. Males develop vivid red-orange coloring on the throat and breast during breeding. A labyrinth fish that breathes atmospheric air, allowing survival in oxygen-poor seasonal swamps. Bubble nest builder. Listed as susceptible to dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV/megalocytivirus), a serious disease concern. Wild fish are now rare in the trade; most are commercially bred. Can live 8 years or more in aquariums.

Breeding

Bubblenest builder like other gouramis. The male builds a large bubblenest (often 15–20 cm across) incorporating plant material. Courtship involves the male displaying his orange throat to the female. Spawning is a wrapping embrace under the nest. The male places eggs in the bubblenest and guards them fiercely. Remove the female after spawning. Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours. Fry are tiny and need infusoria, then baby brine shrimp. Not as commonly bred as dwarf gouramis because the adults are larger and need a bigger breeding setup, but the process is not difficult.

Common problems

Timidity is the main behavioral issue. Pearl gouramis hide for the first 1-2 weeks in a new tank and may refuse food during this period. They settle in faster with floating plants for cover and calm tankmates. Less susceptible to disease than dwarf gouramis because they lack the DGIV vulnerability. Standard issues: ich from transport stress, bacterial infections from poor water quality. Gouramis in general are sensitive to rapid parameter changes; acclimate slowly after purchase. Males occasionally become aggressive during breeding attempts, injuring female tankmates; dense planting provides escape routes.

Bioload

Further reading

• Stocking ideas by tank size