Honey gourami care guide

Plan a tank with honey gouramisSee all tank mates

Honey gourami quick facts

• Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
• Long fins attract fin nippers.

Tank setup

One honey gourami needs at least 10 gallons (38 L). A pair or a group of three or more needs about 20 gallons (76 L). Plant it well and add floating plants, since it likes calm water and shaded spots near the surface. Use gentle flow and a tight lid, leaving an air gap so it can gulp air.

How many honey gouramis in a tank?

The smallest common tank that suits honey gouramis is a 10 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.

Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one male unless the tank is large and well planned.

Water parameters

Keep it at 23–27°C (73–81°F), pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. It handles a range of conditions but does best in stable, clean water. Change part of the water every week.

Best tank mates for honey gouramis

These popular species share honey gouramis' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 79 good matches.

• Cherry shrimp

  3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)

• Nerite snail

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)

• Guppy

  5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)

• Neon tetra

  3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)

• Panda corydoras

  4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)

• Bristlenose pleco

  12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)

• Bronze corydoras

  7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)

• Assassin snail

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)

Avoid keeping honey gouramis with

• Betta fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like honey gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
• Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Honey gourami 23–27°C (73–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
• Oscar: Oscar can eat honey gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of honey gouramis.
• Bala shark: Bala shark can eat honey gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful honey gouramis.

Feeding

An omnivore that takes flakes, small pellets and gel foods, both floating and sinking. Add frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp or bloodworms a few times a week for better color. Feed small amounts once or twice a day.

Behavior

It is peaceful and a bit shy, and bigger or pushy fish easily scare it or steal its food. It isn't a schooling fish, but it does well in a small group. Males may squabble when breeding, and groups form a pecking order, so keep one male per small tank and give plenty of cover. Good tankmates include small tetras and rasboras, corydoras, kuhli loaches and rosy loaches.

Breeding

The male builds a bubble nest among floating plants and guards eggs and fry, turning deep blue-black on the throat and belly in courtship. Use shallow, warm water around 28°C (82°F) and a sponge filter. Remove the female after spawning and the male once fry swim. Fry need infusoria or other tiny foods first.

Tips from experienced keepers

• Gold and red honey gouramis are the same species as the wild type and need the same care.
• The 'sunset' gourami is sometimes a red honey and sometimes the larger thick-lipped gourami. Check the label.
• Keep it away from fin nippers and boisterous fish that grab food first.
• Adult cherry and amano shrimp are usually safe, but expect some baby shrimp to be eaten.
• Floating plants help a shy gourami feel safe near the surface.

Sources

We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.

• seriouslyfish.com
• aquariumcoop.com
• fishbase.se
• fishkeepingworld.com