How to Care for Various Gourami

There are about 12 species and several colors of gourami that are typically kept as pets. Gourami care may vary by species, but most have essentially the same care needs. Gourami are undemanding and accept most freeze dried, frozen and live foods, including fish flakes. Gourami are suited to live in community fish tanks. Here is how to take care of various types of gourami.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tank
• Dechlorinated fresh water
• Substrate
• Aquatic plants
• Fish food

1. Choose a tank for your gourami that is 10 gallons or larger.

2. Fill the tank with dechlorinated fresh water and cover the bottom with a fine or medium neutral-colored substrate.

3. Keep the water temperature around 74 to 79 degrees F and the pH between five and eight. If possible, keep the hardness of the water between 5 and 35 dGH.

4. Plant the tank with cryptocoryne or other sturdy aquatic plants like vallisneria or java fern. Gourami prefer heavily planted and decorated tanks.

5. Feed your gourami a combination of freeze dried, frozen and live foods, like brine shrimp, daphnia, tubifex worms or blood worms. Varying your gourami's diet ensures balanced nutrition.

6. Clean the tank at least once a week, or whenever the water appears murky or becomes contaminated.

Tips & Warnings

• If your gourami's coloration begins to fade, try supplementing their diet with live food or freeze dried blood worms once a week.
• Do not care for more than one male gourami in the same tank unless it is large enough to allow each to claim his own territory.