Pearl Gourami

The Pearl Gourami: A Gem for Your UK Aquarium

The Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii), also affectionately known as the Lace Gourami or Mosaic Gourami, is a truly captivating freshwater fish that can bring an elegant shimmer to any home aquarium in the UK. Renowned for its peaceful temperament and stunning, iridescent “pearl” pattern across its body, this species is a favourite among aquarists, from seasoned enthusiasts to those just starting their aquatic journey.

Native to the slow-moving, heavily vegetated waters of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, the Pearl Gourami is a labyrinth fish. This unique characteristic means they possess a special organ allowing them to breathe atmospheric air directly from the surface, an evolutionary adaptation that enables them to thrive in oxygen-poor environments. While this makes them hardy, understanding their natural habitat is key to providing optimal care in your aquarium.

Setting Up the Perfect Pearl Gourami Home

Creating a suitable environment for your Pearl Gouramis is paramount to their health and vibrant display.

Tank Size: While some sources suggest a minimum of 55 litres for a pair, a minimum tank size of 90 litres (approximately 20 UK gallons) for a single Pearl Gourami or a small group is highly recommended. For a pair or a small harem (one male with two or three females), a 120-litre (30 UK gallon) tank is a better starting point, allowing ample swimming space and reducing potential territorial disputes. For a community tank with other species, a larger tank will always be beneficial. An elongated tank shape is often preferred over a tall, narrow one, as it provides more surface area for the gourami to access air. A secure lid is essential, as these fish can be jumpers.

Aquascape: Pearl Gouramis thrive in a densely planted aquarium that mimics their natural swampy habitat.

• Plants: Abundant live plants are crucial, providing hiding spots and breaking up lines of sight. Consider hardy species like Java Fern, Anubias, Water Wisteria, and various stem plants. Floating plants (e.g., Water Lettuce, Amazon Frogbit) are particularly beneficial as they diffuse lighting, provide shade, and offer anchor points for the male’s bubble nest during breeding.
• Substrate: A dark, fine-grained substrate like sand or fine gravel will not only enhance their colours but also be gentle on their delicate barbels. If you’re heavily planting, a nutrient-rich aquasoil can be beneficial.
• Decorations: Incorporate driftwood, roots, and smooth rocks to create a natural aesthetic and additional hiding places.

Lighting: Pearl Gouramis prefer subdued lighting. If your aquarium lights are very bright, the addition of floating plants will help to dim the intensity and make your gouramis feel more secure and display their best colours.

Filtration and Water Flow: A gentle filtration system is vital. Pearl Gouramis do not appreciate strong water currents, which can stress them. Opt for an internal power filter with adjustable flow or a hang-on-back filter with a spray bar to disperse the flow. Sponge filters are also an excellent choice for smaller gourami tanks. Regular water changes are crucial for maintaining good water quality.

Water Parameters

Maintaining stable and appropriate water parameters is key to the health and longevity of your Pearl Gouramis. While they are known for their adaptability, mimicking their natural environment is always the best approach.

• Temperature: Pearl Gouramis are tropical fish and require warm water. An ideal temperature range is 24°C to 28°C (75-82°F). Consistent temperature is important, so a reliable aquarium heater and thermometer are essential.
• pH: They prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, with an ideal pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. While they can tolerate a slightly wider range, aiming for this will keep them at their best.
• Hardness: In their natural habitat, the water is typically soft and slightly acidic due to decomposing plant matter. In the home aquarium, they do best in soft to moderately hard water, with a general hardness (GH) of 3-12 dGH (50-250 ppm). Extremely hard water should be avoided.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: As with all aquarium inhabitants, ammonia and nitrite should always be at 0 ppm. Nitrates should be kept below 20 ppm, ideally lower. Regular water testing with a reliable kit is crucial to monitor these levels.

Diet and Feeding

Pearl Gouramis are omnivores and are generally unfussy eaters. A varied diet is essential for their health and vibrant coloration.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake foods and small pellets should form the basis of their diet.
• Live and Frozen Foods: Supplement their diet with live or frozen foods several times a week. Excellent choices include bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and mosquito larvae. These are particularly beneficial for conditioning breeding pairs.
• Vegetable Matter: They also appreciate some vegetable matter. Occasionally offer blanched spinach, cooked peas, or spirulina flakes.

Feed small amounts two to three times a day, only what they can consume within a few minutes to prevent overfeeding and water pollution.

Temperament and Tank Mates

Pearl Gouramis are generally peaceful and well-suited for community aquariums. However, males can become territorial, especially during breeding, and may show aggression towards other male gouramis or similar-looking fish.

Ideal Tank Mates:

• Peaceful tetras (e.g., Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Rummy Nose Tetras)
• Rasboras (e.g., Harlequin Rasboras)
• Peaceful barbs (e.g., Cherry Barbs, Rosy Barbs)
• Corydoras catfish
• Kuhli loaches
• Smaller, peaceful rainbowfish

Avoid:

• Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (e.g., some larger cichlids, Tiger Barbs)
• Other male gouramis (unless in a very large tank with plenty of hiding spots)
• Betta fish (Siamese Fighting Fish), as they are also labyrinth fish and males may be seen as competition.
• Large, predatory fish.

It’s often best to keep Pearl Gouramis in a pair or a small group with a single male and multiple females to minimise aggression.

Breeding Pearl Gouramis

Breeding Pearl Gouramis is a rewarding experience and relatively straightforward.

• Sexing: Males are typically more colourful, especially when in breeding condition, displaying an orange throat and belly. Their dorsal fin is longer and more pointed, while the female’s is shorter and more rounded.
• Breeding Tank: A separate breeding tank (around 60-80 litres) with shallow water (15-20 cm deep) is recommended. Provide plenty of floating plants for the male to construct his bubble nest. The water should be soft, slightly acidic, and slightly warmer than usual (around 28°C/82°F).
• Conditioning: Condition the pair with a high-protein diet of live and frozen foods.
• Spawning: The male will build a bubble nest at the surface. He will then entice the female beneath it, where they will embrace, and the female will release eggs which the male will fertilise and herd into the nest.
• Post-Spawning: Remove the female after spawning, as the male will guard the nest. Once the fry become free-swimming (usually after 3-4 days), remove the male as well to prevent him from eating them.
• Fry Care: Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially. After about two weeks, they can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp. Daily small water changes are critical for fry development. Ensure the air above the water is warm and humid for the developing labyrinth organ.

Health and Maintenance

Pearl Gouramis are generally hardy fish, but good husbandry is essential for preventing common ailments.

• Water Quality: Regular water changes (20-25% weekly or bi-weekly depending on bioload) are crucial to maintain pristine water conditions. Always match the temperature of the new water to the tank water to prevent shock.
• Quarantine: Always quarantine new fish for 2-3 weeks before introducing them to your main aquarium to prevent the spread of diseases.
• Common Ailments: Like all fish, they can be susceptible to common freshwater diseases such as Ich (white spot disease). Maintaining optimal water parameters and a stress-free environment are the best preventative measures.

Useful Statistics for Pearl Gourami Care

By providing these beautiful and generally easy-to-care-for fish with the right environment and consistent care, Pearl Gourami’s will undoubtedly become a shining centrepiece in your UK aquarium for years to come.