🐠Gourami: gear and buying guides

Gouramis, such as the pearl or blue gourami, are labyrinth fish that breathe air at the surface. Calm but sometimes territorial between males, they need a planted tank of at least 100 L, heated between 24 and 28 °C, with a still surface and temperate air above the water. Their slow swimming calls for quiet tankmates.

Profile : 8 to 12 cm as an adult depending on the species, 100 L minimum, water between 24 and 28 °C.

Gourami gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  An omnivore: floating flakes and pellets as a staple, with brine shrimp, daphnia and some plant matter. It also hunts small insects fallen onto the surface.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water with a 20 to 25 percent weekly change. A lid keeps the air above the water warm and humid, essential for its labyrinth organ.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Floating plants such as water lettuce soften the light and support the males' bubble nests. Dense plant cover lets females escape persistent courtship.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A tank of at least 100 L, richly planted, with almost no surface current. Keep a single male per medium-sized tank to avoid territorial fights.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Bag transport with a generous volume of air, essential since it breathes at the surface. Keep the bag warm and acclimate gently for 30 minutes.

• 🧰 Accessories

  An adjustable-flow filter angled to keep the surface calm, a 100 to 150 W heater and a full lid. Around 130 to 220 euros of equipment for a 100 to 150 L tank.

Guides to read

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

  How much does a 60-litre aquarium kit really cost? The full start-up budget, item by item: equipped tank, substrate, decor, water tests and consumables.

• Nano shrimp tank: the essential equipment to start off rightBedding & habitat

  What equipment does a nano shrimp tank need? Volume, gentle filtration, the right substrate and a full budget: the complete checklist for keeping Neocaridina.

• Betta tank of 20-30 litres: the ideal setup, step by stepBedding & habitat

  How do you set up a 20 to 30 litre betta tank? Low-flow filtration, heating, resting plants and a lid: the ideal setup explained in detail.

• Garden pond for goldfish: volume, equipment and budgetBedding & habitat

  How do you build a garden pond for goldfish? Minimum volume, frost-free depth, filtration and predator protection: the complete guide with budget.

• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.