Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Known for its exceptionally calm demeanor, The Thick-lipped gourami is an ideal candidate for a relaxed community aquarium. They rarely bother other fish and often retreat to safety rather than engage in any form of conflict. Their gentle nature means they can easily be outcompeted for food by faster, more boisterous species.

Diet

Omnivore

In the wild, The Thick-lipped gourami is an opportunistic omnivore that consumes a wide variety of plant and animal matter. In captivity, they will readily accept high-quality flakes, pellets, and frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. Supplementing their diet with blanched vegetables or spirulina-based foods will ensure optimal health and coloration.

Sex ratio

Flexible

This species exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism, making it relatively easy to distinguish males from females once they reach maturity. Males typically display much more vibrant colors and possess longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins compared to the females. It is often recommended to keep one male with multiple females to prevent the male from excessively harassing a single female during courtship.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

To maintain optimal digestion, The Thick-lipped gourami should be fed small meals once or twice a day. It is important to only offer as much food as they can consume entirely within two to three minutes. Overfeeding can lead to severe water quality issues and potentially fatal digestive blockages.

Bioload

The Thick-lipped gourami generates a moderate bioload, requiring a balanced approach to aquarium filtration. Weekly water changes and regular vacuuming of the substrate are recommended to prevent the accumulation of dissolved organics. An appropriately sized canister filter or a well-designed internal filter is often highly beneficial.

Flow

Stagnant

The Thick-lipped gourami naturally inhabits slow-moving or stagnant waters, such as swamps, rice paddies, and densely vegetated ponds. They strongly prefer an aquarium with very gentle water circulation, as strong currents will cause them significant stress and exhaustion. Using a sponge filter or baffling the output of a power filter is highly recommended.

Reproduction

Oviparous

During reproduction, the male of The Thick-lipped gourami constructs a complex bubble nest at the water's surface, often incorporating floating plant material. After a delicate courtship embrace, the female releases eggs which the male meticulously collects and places into the nest. The male then fiercely guards the nest and fry until they are free-swimming, at which point he should be removed to prevent him from eating them.

Compatibility & tankmates

This species is generally very peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a community aquarium. They get along perfectly with other similarly sized, non-aggressive species that share similar water requirements. It is best to avoid keeping them with overly boisterous or large fin-nipping tank mates that might cause them stress.

Tank level

Middle

You will typically find The Thick-lipped gourami swimming in the upper and middle regions of the aquarium. They occasionally venture to the bottom to forage but prefer the open swimming space and cover provided by tall plants in the upper layers. Providing a layout with plenty of vertical structure helps them feel most at home.