Gold Gourami - Large

The Gold Gourami is a colour variation of the Blue Gourami that is a deep orange with lighter orange shading. The Gold Gourami also has rust colour markings and is lacking the spots of the Blue Gourami.

This gourami is a rather peaceful fish that is very comical to watch as a juvenile. Gold Gouramis are considered Labyrinth Fish, meaning they breathe directly from the air and should have access to the surface of the aquarium. The Gold Gourami can be housed with a variety of tank mates that are of similar size and temperament.

While males can be territorial with each other, they become timid around other, more aggressive fish. The ideal tank set-up would be an aquarium of a minimum of 75 litres and have plenty of live plants as well as rocks and driftwood for use as hiding places.

The best way to differentiate between the male and female Gold Gourami is by the dorsal fin. In the male, the dorsal fin is long and pointed, while the females is shorter and rounded.

When ready to breed, the male builds a bubblenest and then begins to entice the female by swimming back and forth, flaring his fins and raising his tail. When this behaviour is noticed, the water level should be reduced to 15cm.

After spawning the female should be removed to a separate aquarium as the male may become aggressive toward her.

The male will tend to the eggs until they hatch, and after hatching, there should be frequent water changes, especially during the third week, as this is when the labyrinth organ is developing. The fry should be fed infusoria and nauplii. The Gold Gourami is an omnivore and requires both algae-based foods as well as meaty foods.

An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp will provide these fish with the proper nutrition.