| Honey Gourami | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Genus: | Trichogaster |
| Species: | T. chuna |
| Binomial name | |
| Trichogaster chuna (Hamilton, 1822) |
|
The Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna), is a tropical labyrinth fish of the suborder Anabantoidei often bred and kept for aquaria.
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There is some confusion as to the genus of this species. Some sources cite the genus Colisa whereas other cite Trichogaster. The honey gourami was first described by Hamilton as Colisa chuna, although today the name Trichogaster chuna is preferred.
The term Colisa sota has been mistakenly used to describe the female of this species, since the honey gourami exhibits sexual dimorphism.
The honey gourami is typically found in rivers and lakes in Asia. It originates from India and Bangladesh. It inhabits areas of thick vegetation in soft and poorly-mineralised waters. This fish prefers the top and middle levels of the water.[1]
Males reach 5 cm (2 in) in length, females are slightly smaller at 4 cm (1.5 in). The males of the honey gourami become deep gold in the breeding period with a dark blue underside. Male specimens of this fish, typical of many gouramis, are generally more colourful than their female counterparts. They exhibit bright orange colouring around the throat region, which at breeding time becomes much brighter and is used to court the female. Males also exhibit somewhat of an orange tinge in their fins, with the exception of the caudal fin. The male also has longer fins, with a pointed dorsal fin and extended anal fin rays.[2]
The honey gourami is generally considered to be a non-aggressive community fish, ideal for the small household aquaria(10 gallons and up). However like other gouramis, male honey gouramis can be aggressive towards each other. For this reason they are best kept apart, unless the tank is large enough for the males to establish territories. A tank that includes this fish, should be planted and decorated to provide adequate cover. Providing cover is necessary as this species, like the similarly sized dwarf gourami, can be rather timid, aggressive tankmates are best avoided. Good tankmates include non-fin nipping tetras, non-fin nipping barbs, corydoras, platys and other gouramis. Water temperature should be maintained at around 22 to 28 degrees Celsius. Water chemistry is not critical, however extreme parameters should be avoided.[3]
A colour variant of the honey gourami is the Red Honey Gourami, which is slightly redder in colour. When in breeding conditions, the male becomes even darker red/orange in colour.
The honey gourami is an omnivore. It is best fed a good variety of flaked foods, freeze-dried foods such as tubifex worms, and the occasional safe live foods such as Daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworm.
The honey gourami is a bubble nest builder that uses plants to help bind together the bubbles. The water level should be reduced to 8 in during spawning, and the temperature should be approximately 28 °C (82 °F) and with a pH of around 7. After spawning both adults should be removed. The eggs hatch after 2 days and the fry become free swimming 3 days later (Ter Morshuizen 2007). When they commence with free swimming the fry should be fed infusoria and brine shrimp, and a week later finely ground flakes. Freeze-dried tablets may also be fed to older fry.