Breeding the honey gourami
Bubble-nester that forms temporary pairs; the male builds and guards the nest. Use gentle filtration such as an air-driven sponge filter.
Step by step
Keep one pair in a calm tank. Condition well with small live foods.
A 10 gallon (40 L) planted tank, 26-28 C, floating plants and a lid. Soft, slightly acidic water works best.
Warm, stable water and dense floating plants. The male weaves a small nest in plants.
Eggs hatch in about 24-36 hours; fry swim freely 24-48 hours later and are very small.
Feed infusoria and then baby brine shrimp. Remove the female after spawning and the male when fry swim free. Fry are tiny and grow slowly at first.
- Strong filter flow that wrecks the nest
- Cold air above the tank
- Bullying by tank mates
Male or female
Females are brownish with a dark side stripe and noticeably larger than males. Breeding males turn bright orange with a dark blue-black throat and belly. Males of ornamental colour strains do not show these breeding colours.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for bubble-nest builders
- 10 days beforeCondition and introduce
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
- Day 0Spawning under the nest
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
- Day 2Eggs hatch
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
- Day 4Free swimming
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
- Day 10Baby brine shrimp
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
- Day 56Separate males
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.