🏠The Gourami tank: 100 L, hardware and start-up

Gourami : 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.

In short: 8 to 12 cm as an adult depending on the species, 100 L minimum, water between 24 and 28 °C. Calm and composed but territorial between males, it enjoys a still surface and quiet tankmates. A labyrinth fish breathing air at the surface: a lid keeping warm, humid air above the water protects its breathing organ.

100 litres minimum: why that number

For a Gourami reaching 12 cm as an adult, plan 100 real litres — and remember a big tank is more STABLE, hence easier, than a small one: parameters drift slowly, leaving time to correct. This volume suits a sturdy standard cabinet — just verify perfect levelness.

Hardware: filter, heater, lighting

The Gourami tank’s technical trio starts with filtration — three to five volume turnovers per hour, a heater around 1 W per litre set to 24 to 28°C, backed by an independent thermometer — built-in thermostats sometimes lie, and lighting on a timer at 8 to 10 hours a day: any longer and the algae win.

Substrate, plants and start-up

Nutrient substrate under fine sand or quartz, robust plants (anubias, vallisneria, Java moss) and wood to structure the territory. Then patience: a complete nitrogen cycle (3 to 4 weeks, nitrites back to zero) before the first Gourami — the step every hurried beginner pays for dearly.

Frequently asked questions

What tank size for a Gourami?

A real 100 litres minimum — below that, parameters drift too fast to catch.

Does a Gourami need a heater?

Yes, about 1 W per litre set to 24 to 28°C, with an independent thermometer double-checking the thermostat.

The guides that apply to you

The rest of the Gourami’s gear

Bedding & habitat for related breeds and species