Six Types of Gourami Fish for Your Freshwater Aquarium

The different gourami varieties are some of the most colorful and showy fish for tropical freshwater aquariums. They are large bodied fish with short fins and bright colors. Gourami fish live best in groups with twice as many females as males. Most get along fine in community tanks. Below is a list of six popular gourami types for your freshwater aquarium.

Like the popular betta fish, gouramis are labyrinth fishes that can breath atmospheric air. They are also bubble next builders in which they lay eggs. Most gourami species are omnivorous. They require a larger size tank as they grow to large sizes.

Gourami Aquarium Fish - Blue Gourami

The blue gourami is also called the three spot gourami. It is so named for the two black spots that range down the fish's side. The third spot spoken of in its name is actually the fish's dark eye. The overall color of the scales is a silvery blue. These fish grow up to four inches long.

Gourami Aquarium Fish - Pearl Gourami

The pearl gourami grows to about four inches long. It has longer dorsal and pectoral fins that are transparent. There is a black line down each side of the fish's scales and an overall white spot pattern than gives this gourami its name. This is one of the hardiest and easiest gourami to keep in the home aquarium.

Gourami Aquarium Fish - Dwarf Gourami

The dwarf gourami is the smallest of the gourami fish. It grows to a maximum length of two inches. These fish come in different color variations, mainly red dwarfs and blue dwarfs. The males are brighter than the females and show stripes of bright blue and red on the second half of the body.

Gourami Aquarium Fish - Honey Gourami

The honey gourami variety is another small variety. It is shaped just like the dwarf variety but has an overall honey gold color. Its fins may be darker orange or brown.

Gourami Aquarium Fish - Moonlight Gourami

For pure elegance, you cannot beat the moonlight gourami. Growing up to five inches long, this fish has a longer body shape than other gourami. Its scales are a pearly greenish white over the entire body. It has long, trailing fins and a concave slope to its head.

Gourami Aquarium Fish - Kissing Gourami