Three Spot Gourami
The Three Spot species of Gourami is also commonly known as the Blue and the Opaline Gourami, and comes in variety of colours and patterning. The three-spot Gourami derives its name from the dots along its midsection, which if you include the eye, gives the appearance of 3 spots. Some species have elaborate stripes and patterning, but the 3-spots can clearly be seen underneath. Three-spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus, can be found mainly in the River Mekong basin in southern China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia, and also in parts of northern Indonesia.
Three spot Gourami will thrive in a well-planted aquarium with some floating cover, and open areas for swimming. Although considered a generally peaceful species, adult males can be semi-aggressive and territorial when breeding. You can negate this somewhat by keeping two females to every male, or larger groups, which may also encourage males to display colours more frequently.
Why is it called a three spot Gourami?
Why is a blue gourami, or three-spot gourami, called a 3 spot gourami when it only has two spots? Well, yes, the three spot Gourami does only have two dots on its body, but then the eye is considered the third spot.
Are Three-Spot Gourami aggressive?
Most three-spot Gourami's remain peaceful as they mature, but some will become semi-aggressive and territorial when breeding. Keeping in small shoals, or with similar-sized Gourami or robust Barbs will limit any aggressive behaviour.
Features
Approx. supplied size: 2-3" / 5-7cm
Maximum size: 6" / 15cm
Origin: Asia
Family: Gourami
Temperament: Generally peaceful
Lighting requirement: low
Ideal number kept together: 3+
Water Conditions
Our conditions: pH 7.5, temp 25 °C
Ideal pH: 6.0–8.5
Hardness: 3-35 dH
Water flow: low to moderate
Temperature: 25–30 °C
Ease of Care
Easy. Quite an unfussy Gourami, with moderately territorial tendencies. Easy to feed and moderately slow-growing to a manageable maximum size. Tall plants, such as straight vallis, have been known to diffuse aggressive tendencies particularly amongst common Gourami and dwarf varieties. Will eat shrimp, so do not house with your cherries.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed a mixture of flake and granules. May pick at aquarium plants, will eat algae-based food as well as meatier frozen shrimp and bloodworm to supplement.
Breeding
Easy. Bubble-nester, will breed in shallow conditions, with minimal water disturbance (gentle filtration, such as sponge filters are recommended). Keep 3 females to every male in breeding tanks, as males can be quite aggressive toward unwilling females. Sexing is not particularly challenging, males are generally larger with a pointed dorsal fin, females rounder in the belly.
Life Span
Three-spot, blue or opaline Gourami tend to have a lifespan of 5+ years in perfect conditions.
Photos are for illustration only - one supplied. We are currently unable to specify male or female with this species, sex supplied at random. Colouration and patterning may vary slightly from that pictured.
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