The tropical fish most well known for having striking blue and yellow coloring is the Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus). This popular freshwater aquarium fish has beautiful iridescent powder blue and bright yellow or gold stripes and spots over its body and fins, making it stand out in home aquariums. In this article, we’ll explore the Blue Gourami in depth – from its origins and habitat, to its appearance, diet, behavior, and care requirements as an aquarium fish.
Origins and Habitat
The Blue Gourami is native to slow-moving freshwater environments across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Specifically, it comes from densely vegetated lakes, ponds, swamps, and rice paddies in these regions. This species has also been introduced to parts of the United States, like Florida and Hawaii.
In the wild, Blue Gouramis typically live in shallow, warm, acidic waters with dense vegetation. They prefer slow-moving or stagnant water conditions and frequent spots to hide among plants. The native habitat has a tropical climate with water temperatures ranging from 75-82°F.
Appearance
The Blue Gourami really earns its name from its stunning coloration. The body is a light silvery or iridescent blue, almost like a powder blue, that can shine. Most individuals have between 4-6 thick dark blue stripes running vertically along the body. The fins are a bright golden or neon yellow color, providing an amazing contrast against the blue. In particular, the large dorsal fin stands out with its vibrant yellow and blue bands.
Males tend to show brighter, bolder colors than females. They also have a pointed dorsal fin, while the female’s is rounded. Both sexes have feeler-like pectoral fins that they can extend forward. Blue Gouramis grow to an average adult length of 4-6 inches in captivity.
Diet
In the wild, Blue Gouramis are omnivorous and will eat both plant and animal material. Their diet consists of insects, insect larvae, small crustaceans, algae, and plant matter. They use their feelers to probe into vegetation to find food.
In an aquarium, they should be fed a varied diet including:
- Flake or pellet foods
- Frozen or freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia
- Vegetables like zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce
- Live foods like brine shrimp, black worms, mosquito larvae
Offer a mix of plant and meaty foods daily. The vegetables can be blanched first to soften them up. Feed only an amount that can be consumed in 2-3 minutes, 1-2 times per day. Remove any excess to avoid fouling the water.
Behavior
Blue Gouramis are slow-moving, peaceful fish that tend to hang out at the middle to top levels of the tank. They are labyrinth fish, meaning they can breathe oxygen directly from the air in addition to their gills. You’ll see them go up to the surface to take gulps of air frequently.
Males are territorial and will spar with each other by flaring out their fins and mouths. This looks intense but is rarely harmful. Females and juveniles form loose schools together.
Blue Gouramis build bubble nests for breeding. The male concentrates bubbles at the surface under vegetation, then entices the female to lay eggs before fertilizing them. He guards the nest and fry after hatching.
Aquarium Care
Caring for Blue Gouramis requires mimicking their natural habitat:
- Tank Size: 30 gallons or larger
- Water Temperature: 75-82°F
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- DH: 4-15
- Decor: dense plants, floating plants, driftwood
- Substrate: sand or fine gravel
- Tankmates: other peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish, plecos
Perform 20-30% weekly water changes and feed a varied diet as noted above. Blue Gouramis are fairly hardy but do require clean, warm water to thrive. With the proper setup, they make interesting and stunning additions to community aquariums!
Conclusion
The Blue Gourami stands out for its neon blue and yellow-striped appearance. This slow-moving labyrinth fish comes from heavily planted freshwaters across Southeast Asia. It has spread beyond its native range due to introduction for the aquarium trade. Blue Gouramis do well in warm, soft water community aquariums with hiding spots. Provide a vegetarian and insect-based diet, along with 20-30% weekly water changes. With some basic care, the beautiful Blue Gourami can live 3-5 years in captivity while dazzling aquarists with its vibrant colors.
| Scientific Name | Trichopodus trichopterus |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Average Size | 4-6 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Water Conditions | 75-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5, soft |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Tankmates | Small community fish |
