10 Types of Gourami Fish For Your Aquarium
Gouramis are beautiful, peaceful freshwater fish that come in a variety of sizes and colors. They’re perfect for both beginner and experienced aquarists looking to add personality to their tank. From tiny Sparkling Gouramis to large, bold Giant Gouramis, there’s a type for every setup.
In this guide, you’ll discover the most popular types of Gourami fish you can keep, with brief profiles and links to full care guides for each one. Whether you have a 10-gallon tank or a full community setup, there’s a Gourami that will fit right in.
Most Popular Types of Gourami Fish
Here’s a look at some of the best Gouramis you can add to your aquarium. Each section includes a short description and a link to a full care guide if available.
1. Honey Gourami
Honey Gouramis are gentle and easy to care for. They grow up to 2 inches and have a beautiful golden to orange hue. Ideal for smaller aquariums and community setups, they’re among the best choices for beginners.
2. Sparkling Gourami
Sparkling Gouramis are tiny, iridescent fish that grow just over an inch long. Perfect for nano tanks, they thrive in soft water and planted setups. They’re peaceful and make faint croaking sounds when interacting.
3. Licorice Gourami
Licorice Gouramis are small, shy fish known for their beautiful iridescent stripes and delicate personalities. Growing to just 1.5 inches, they’re ideal for quiet, heavily planted nano tanks. These fish prefer soft, acidic water and can be sensitive to poor conditions, making them best suited for experienced aquarists. Their subtle colors truly shine in low lighting, especially during breeding when males display striking patterns.
4. Pearl Gourami: The Elegant Classic
Pearl Gouramis are one of the most elegant species, known for their speckled appearance and long ventral fins. They can grow up to 5 inches and do best in planted tanks with soft lighting. Peaceful and social, they’re perfect for calm community tanks.
5. Blue Gourami: The Colorful Chameleon
Also known as the Three-Spot Gourami, this type grows up to 6 inches and has a beautiful blue-silver body with two dark spots. Males can become territorial, so they need a spacious tank with hiding spots.
6. Kissing Gourami
These fish are known for their unique “kissing” behavior, which is actually a sign of dominance. Kissing Gouramis can grow up to 10 inches and need large tanks with moderate current and durable plants.
7. Giant Gourami
Giant Gouramis live up to their name. Reaching over 16 inches, these fish require massive tanks (100 gallons or more). They’re peaceful and intelligent, but best left to experienced fish keepers.
8. Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami
The Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami is a stunning color variant of the Dwarf Gourami, known for its solid, electric-blue body without the red stripes seen in other types. It shares the same small size (about 2 inches), peaceful temperament, and care requirements. Ideal for planted community tanks, this fish adds vibrant color and calm energy. Like all Dwarf Gouramis, males are more colorful than females.
9. Snakeskin Gourami
Snakeskin Gouramis are one of the largest gourami species kept in home aquariums, reaching up to 10 inches. Named for the subtle, snakeskin-like pattern along their sides, these peaceful fish are calm and social, making them ideal for large community tanks. They prefer slow-moving water, plenty of space, and soft lighting. Due to their size, they require at least a 55-gallon tank and are better suited for experienced aquarists.
10. Moonlight Gourami
Moonlight Gouramis are graceful, silvery-green fish named for their soft, glowing appearance under aquarium lighting. They can grow up to 5 inches and are known for their calm, peaceful nature—making them ideal for planted community tanks. These gouramis prefer slightly acidic water, low flow, and dim lighting. Their long, trailing ventral fins and subtle color make them both elegant and easy to care for, even for beginners.
How to Choose the Right Gourami
Not sure which Gourami suits your tank? Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Best for Small Tanks: Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Sparkling Gourami
- Best for Beginners: Honey Gourami, Dwarf Gourami
- Best for Large Tanks: Pearl Gourami, Blue Gourami, Opaline Gourami
- Advanced Keepers: Kissing Gourami, Giant Gourami
- Peaceful Personalities: Honey, Pearl, Croaking
- Semi-Aggressive/Needs Space: Blue, Gold, Opaline
💡 Pro tip: Avoid housing multiple male Gouramis in a small tank—they may become territorial.
Common Gourami Traits
No matter the type, most Gouramis share these traits:
- Labyrinth Organ: All Gouramis can breathe air from the surface.
- Bubble Nest Builders: Most males build nests at the surface during breeding.
- Love Plants: Gouramis feel secure with floating or leafy plants.
- Upper-Level Swimmers: They often swim near the top or mid-section of the tank.
Final Thoughts
Gouramis are a rewarding group of freshwater fish that offer color, personality, and a peaceful vibe to your aquarium. Whether you’re new to fishkeeping or looking to expand your tank with a new species, there’s a Gourami for every aquarist.
Keep this guide bookmarked and check out the individual care posts linked above to learn everything you need to raise happy, healthy Gouramis.
