Dwarf Gourami care guide
Trichogaster lalius · Osphronemidae
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is an aquarium animal. It belongs to the Osphronemidae family. It is native to Pakistan, northern India and Bangladesh. All the fish in the trade are mass-produced, including line-bred forms such as “Sunset” and “Neon”.. Water temperature: 22°C – 27°C. pH: 6.0 – 7.5. Care difficulty: Moderate.
How do you care for Dwarf Gourami?
| Temperature | 22°C – 27°C |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Placement | Upper to mid-water, a labyrinth fish; soft to moderately hard water (2–18 dGH). Seriously Fish gives no minimum tank size. |
| Growth | About 8.8 cm (3.5 in) standard length. |
| Difficulty | Moderate (shy yet territorial; trade stock quality is poor) |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
How do you trim and propagate Dwarf Gourami?
Thought to be omnivorous on small invertebrates and algae. A good dried food as the staple, with bloodworm and other small live or frozen food.
What problems affect Dwarf Gourami?
Dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV) appears highly infectious and can pass to other species sharing the water; mass breeding may have spread it. Stock quality has fallen badly.
How do you fix Dwarf Gourami problems?
Quarantine newcomers and buy from reliable sources; adding other anabantoids (including bettas) or gaudy fish such as guppies can make some males very aggressive.
Where does Dwarf Gourami come from?
Pakistan, northern India and Bangladesh. All the fish in the trade are mass-produced, including line-bred forms such as “Sunset” and “Neon”.
What should you know before buying Dwarf Gourami?
Seriously Fish gives only a reserved recommendation for community tanks; in a small tank it should be the main inhabitant.
Sources
- Trichogaster lalius (Dwarf Gourami) — Seriously Fish
- Trichogaster lalius — FishBase
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-10-29.
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