Why is my Three-Spot Gourami gulping air at the surface?

This is completely normal behaviour. As labyrinth fish, they possess a specialized organ that allows—and requires—them to breathe atmospheric air directly from the surface, supplementing the oxygen they extract through their gills.

Can I keep two male Three-Spot Gouramis together?

It is highly discouraged. Male Three-Spot Gouramis are very territorial and will persistently fight, often leading to severe stress, injury, or the eventual death of the weaker male.

Why are my gourami's long bottom fins getting shorter?

Damage to their delicate pelvic 'feelers' is usually the result of aggressive tankmates nipping them, or an aggressive bacterial infection like fin rot. Check your compatibility, particularly ensuring you don't have barbs or aggressive tetras in the tank.

How do I tell if my Three-Spot Gourami is male or female?

Look at the dorsal (top) fin. In mature males, the dorsal fin is longer and comes to a sharp, distinct point. In females, the dorsal fin is noticeably shorter and rounded.

Is the Opaline Gourami a different species from the Three-Spot?

No, the Opaline Gourami is simply a selectively bred colour morph of the Three-Spot Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) that exhibits a marbled blue pattern instead of the distinct spots.

A laterally compressed, silvery-blue freshwater fish featuring two dark spots on its side and elongated, thread-like pelvic fins. — AI-generated illustration for OneShoal

FreshwaterTropicalBeginner

Three-Spot Gourami

Trichopodus trichopterus

An exceptionally hardy and visually striking labyrinth fish, the Three-Spot Gourami is a staple of the freshwater aquarium hobby, renowned for its intriguing behaviour and numerous colourful morphs.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C
pH range: 5.5 – 8.5
Hardness: 3 – 35 dGH
Adult size: 10 – 15 cm
Standard 100L aquarium: 100 litres+
Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
Diet: Omnivorous
Water flow: low
Preferred setup: Heavily planted with floating vegetation and open swimming areas

About the Three-Spot Gourami

The Three-Spot Gourami is an enduring favourite in the fishkeeping world, famed both for its resilience and its charming, inquisitive nature. Interestingly, the fish only possesses two distinct spots on its flanks; its eye cleverly acts as the 'third' spot, giving the species its common name. In the wild, it inhabits the warm, sluggish waters of Southeast Asia, a challenging environment that has led to its evolutionary ability to breathe atmospheric air. Today, decades of captive breeding have produced a spectacular array of colour variants, including the popular Blue, Opaline, and Gold gouramis, all of which belong to this exact same species.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Three-Spot Gourami against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Three-Spot Gourami comes from

Native range

Southeast Asia, Mekong River Basin

Countries / regions

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar

Habitat

Sluggish, lowland waters including swamps, marshes, canals, and flooded fields with dense aquatic vegetation.

Widely introduced beyond its native range due to the aquarium trade and aquaculture.

Similar species

Pearl Gourami
Trichopodus leerii
Moonlight Gourami
Trichopodus microlepis
Snakeskin Gourami
Trichopodus pectoralis
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
Peaceful bottom dwellers that completely avoid the gourami's upper-level territory, preventing any aggressive encounters.
Great
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Fast enough to avoid occasional chases, entirely peaceful, and large enough not to be considered prey by an adult gourami.
Great
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus spp.
An armoured, algae-eating bottom dweller that stays well out of the gourami's way and is robust enough to ignore any disputes.
Great
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Similar shape and behaviour can trigger the larger Three-Spot Gourami's territorial instincts; requires a very spacious tank to work.
Compatible with caution
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Both are large, slightly territorial species that occupy similar water columns. Clashes can occur in tanks under 200 litres.
Compatible with caution
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Notorious fin-nippers that will relentlessly attack and damage the gourami's delicate, trailing pelvic feelers.
Not recommended
Another Male Three-Spot Gourami
Trichopodus trichopterus
Males are highly intolerant of one another and will fight continuously, often resulting in severe injury or death.
Not recommended

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