Tips on Feeding and Keeping Pearl Gourami
The pearl gourami, which originates from Southeast Asia, is a brightly coloured freshwater fish. The species belonging to the Eastern gourami is very popular among aquarists, not least because of its attractive appearance. In its homeland, on the other hand, the pearl gourami also regularly ends up on the dinner plate.
Pearl Gourami Profile
- Scientific name: Trichopodus leerii
- Origin: Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo)
- Size: up to 12 cm (4.5 inches)
- Life span: around 10 years
- Aquarium minimum size: 100 cm (40 inches)
- Recommended water temperature: 25 - 28 °C (77 – 82 °F)
- Diet: omnivorous
Characteristics of the Pearl Gourami
Pearl gourami grow to approximately 10 to 12 centimetres. In female specimens, the areas on the belly and throat are silver-grey. Compared to the male, they also have a shorter dorsal fin and round anal and dorsal fins.
The scales of the pearl gourami are silver and have brownish edges that become more pronounced towards the back, which gives the fish their characteristic honeycomb pattern. In addition, there is a dark band from the tail fin to the mouth of the fish.
Male pearl gourami are more colourful than their female counterparts. Their scales have a silvery to light blue sheen. In addition, their belly, throat and part of their anal fin are intensely orange-red in colour and their pelvic fins have been transformed into threads.
Pearl Gourami Life Expectancy
With good care and appropriate feeding, pearl gourami can reach an age of around 10 years.
Pearl Gourami Origin
In the wild, the pearl gourami is widespread in southern Malaysia as well as on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Their natural habitat consists of shallow areas of slowly flowing and stagnant water with clear, soft water that either has a dense vegetation or lies in the shade of the plants on the bank.
In its countries of origin, the pearl gourami is one of the food fish and is accordingly often offered for sale in markets. It was first introduced to Europe in the 1930s, where it has become a popular aquarium fish thanks to its attractive appearance.
Keeping Pearl Gourami
As long as there is enough space available, keeping pearl gourami is not an overly complicated undertaking. The fish are therefore also suitable for beginners who do not yet have much experience with ornamental fish.
Depending on the group size, their aquarium for should be at least 100 to 130 centimetres long. The water temperature should be between 25 and 28 ° C and the pH level between 6 and 8.
Setting up a Fish Tank for Pearl Gourami
When setting up the aquarium for pearl gourami, it is important to not only provide sufficient space for swimming. In addition, areas with dense vegetation up to the surface of the water are required so that the occasionally shy fish can hide if necessary. In addition, some floating plants, such as duckweed or frogbit, should not go amiss in an aquarium for pearl gourami.
Socialising Pearl Gourami
Pearl gourami should not be kept alone, but in small groups. Depending on the size of the tank, it is advisable to keep for example two female and one male fish. If there is enough space available, groups of five or ten animals are also possible.
Pearl gourami are calm and peaceful water dwellers. They can be socialized with various other ornamental fish. Loaches or catfish, for example, are suitable tank mates.
Breeding Pearl Gourami
For the breeding of pearl gouramis, a pair is moved into a separate, sufficiently large breeding tank. This must be equipped with floating plants on which the male can build a foam nest. The water can be filtered through peat if necessary to ensure that it is soft.
After the female fish has spawned, the male pearl gourami gathers the eggs with his mouth, places them in his foam nest and takes care of them. After a day or two, the larvae hatch and two days later they finally swim free and have to be initially fed with infusoria.
Pearl Gourami Diseases
The pearl gourami is a very robust and easy to keep aquarium fish. Nonetheless, the animals can of course get sick. This is especially true if the water levels do not meet their needs, the fish stock in the tank is too high or mistakes are made regarding the feeding.
Possible fish diseases that can occur in pearl gourami include, for example, dwarf gourami disease, fin rot or ascites. Apart from that, there is of course the possibility that pearl gourami become infested with parasites or get sick with a fungal infection.
Pearl Gourami Diet
The pearl gourami is an omnivore that prefers to eat its food on the surface of the water. In the wild, it feeds among others on insects, insect larvae and small crustaceans. Pearl gourami kept in an aquarium can easily be fed with a high-quality granulate or flake food.
In addition, frozen and live food can be added to the menu from time to time. The pearl gourami also eats plants such as duckweed and algae deposits in the water.
Aquaris Fish Food for Pearl Gourami
Appropriate feeding makes a decisive contribution to the vitality and health of your pearl gourami. With Aquaris ornamental fish food, you are choosing high-quality products made from carefully selected ingredients for this purpose. In our range you will find both flake food (Aquaris Flakes) as well as granulated food (Aquaris Tropical Granulate)
Carefully developed recipes guarantee excellent digestibility and an optimal supply of all important nutrients. In addition, Aquaris fish food is very easy to digest, so that excessive water pollution from the excretions of your pearl gourami can be avoided.