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Encyclopedia / Gouramis & Bettas / Three-spot gourami
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Variations

5 kinds · tap one for a closer look

Three-spot gourami

Trichopodus trichopterus · Blue gourami, Opaline gourami, Gold gourami, Three spot

Males can become aggressive as they grow.

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15 cmBody length, without tail ✓
24–30 °CTemperature ✓
6–8pH ✓
81 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
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Not recommended
  • Three-spot gourami eats animals up to about 3 cm. Neon tetra only grows to 2.5 cm.
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: 24–25 °C.
Not recommended
  • Three-spot gourami eats animals up to about 3 cm. Cardinal tetra only grows to 3 cm.
Not recommended
  • Three-spot gourami eats animals up to about 3 cm. Ember tetra only grows to 2 cm.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: exactly 24 °C.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: 24–25 °C.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

378 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓3–35 dGH
Group size ?Can live alone
Temperament ✓Semi-aggressive
Swims at ?Top
Care level ✓Easy
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ?Unknown
Size in shops 4–5 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Males can become aggressive as they grow.

Food

Flakes, pellets.

Tap a food to see what it is.

Male or female

Males are larger and develop a long, pointed dorsal fin; females have a shorter, rounded dorsal fin.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Bubble-nester · Easy

Easy bubblenester: the male builds a bubble nest at the surface, gathers the eggs into it and guards them until the fry swim free. Remove the female after spawning or she may be harmed.

Pairing

Keep a group of young fish and pair off a male and female. They are easy and spawn readily.

Setup

A 20-30 gallon (75-110 L) tank, 26-28 C, floating plants and a lid. Water level of 15-20 cm is fine.

What starts it

Warm water, floating plants and good food. The male builds a large bubble nest.

Eggs

About 500-1,200 eggs per spawning; eggs hatch in around 20-30 hours.

Raising the fry

Feed infusoria, then baby brine shrimp and crushed flake. Remove the female after spawning and the male when fry swim free. Sort fish for size often.

Common mistakes
  • Leaving the female in with the nest-guarding male
  • Too much flow at the surface
  • Overfeeding, which fouls the water
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionMainland Southeast Asia and Sundaland
Rivers and lakesMekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo & Java
HabitatSwamps, ponds, rice fields and canals
Native rangeAbout 1,500 km across
See it on the world map

The story of the three-spot gourami

A hardy, widely kept gourami. The 'three spots' are two dark spots on each side plus the eye. Colour forms include blue, gold, opaline (cosby), marbled and silver/platinum.

Peter Simon Pallas described this gourami in 1770, making it one of the earliest described aquarium fish. Its 'three spots' are two body spots plus the eye. Blue, gold and opaline colour forms are bred in captivity.

First described by Peter S. Pallas in 1770.

  • The 'three spots' are two dark body spots plus the eye.
  • It breathes air with a labyrinth organ.
  • Males build bubble nests at the water surface.

Sources

15 facts checked with sources