Trichogaster chuna – Honey Gourami
The most known name is Colisa chuna, but after rewriting the entire family this species is now called Trichogaster chuna. Other synonyms include Trichopodus chuna, Trichopodus sota, Colisa sota, Polyacanthus sota. In Dutch, the Trichogaster chuna is known as Honey Goerami or written as Honey Goerami.
Origin
North East India and Bangladesh.
Description
The Honey Gourami can reach a length of about 4.5 centimeters. This fish is one of the smallest Gourami species. The male has a very beautiful orange honey color with a yellow dorsal fin and a black belly. The female is pale in color, but she is slightly larger and thicker built than the male. Outside the mating season, the colors of the Trichogaster chuna may differ slightly, the female can sometimes look very similar to a male. The difference can sometimes also be seen on the dorsal fin. In the male, the dorsal fin ends in a point where the female’s dorsal fin is more rounded.
In one of the photos the female shows a horizontal stripe. Not all females have this stripe.
The Honey Gourami Aquarium
You do not need a large aquarium for these fish, 60 centimeters is large enough. Decorate the aquarium with dense vegetation, floating plants, and a dark bottom. There should be very little or no current in the water. With all labyrinth fish it is advisable to use a lid so that the water and air above it remain the same temperature. This is necessary because otherwise these fish can become susceptible to diseases.
Water parameters
Temperature: 20-28 degrees Celsius. The temperature of 24/26 to 28 degrees corresponds to the warm summer months in which these fish spawn. In nature, this period does not last longer than a few months. During this warm period the male will continuously want to build foam nests and continue to chase after the females. Therefore, lower the temperature outside the summer months so that the fish are taken out of breeding mode.
pH: 6,5-7
GH: 8-1
Diet
Honey gouramis like all smaller types of food, including live food, frozen food and dry food.
As long as it contains small mosquito larvae, daphnia, tubifex etc. Flakes can be crushed a bit to make them small enough for this species.
Character
It is a very peaceful and shy fish, so do not keep it together with busy fish. Definitely never keep them toghether with Barbels because they will nibble on their thread like pectoral fins.
At a sufficiently low temperature, a male and female will form a couple. The male then does not care about other females. If you choose a slightly higher temperature, the male will become more active and will chase the females more. In that case it is better to have a threesome to spread the pressure of the male over the females. They swim in the middle and upper layers of water.
Breeding Trichogaster chuna – Honey Gourami
Breeding the Honey Gourami is quite easy, use a breeding tank and lower the water level to 12 centimeters. The temperature may be between 26 and 28 degrees. The male builds a foam nest between the plants, when the female has laid the eggs, the male catches them and spits them into the foam nest, he will guard the nest carefully. After egg deposition (about 20 eggs per mating), remove the female, because the male can then become quite aggressive towards her. When the eggs hatch, also remove the male so that the young are not eaten. You can raise the young with dust food or infusoria.
See also the article Breeding the Honey Gourami.
Video
Author
Coby – J. de Lange
Copyright images
