How big does Three-spot Gourami get?

Three-spot Gourami reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Three-spot Gourami need?

23–28 °C, pH 6–7.8, 2–15 dGH. At 5 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Three-spot Gourami?

At least 100 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Three-spot Gourami like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the top and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can Three-spot Gourami be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Three-spot Gourami and Tiger Barb is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 28Freshwater

Three-spot Gourami蓝曼龙

Trichopodus trichopterus · Osphronemidae

A labyrinth gourami that breathes low-oxygen water, whose males fight until separated.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 28 · Three-spot Gourami Trichopodus trichopterus

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 蓝曼龙
Scientific name: Trichopodus trichopterus
Family: Osphronemidae
Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam)
Adult size: 10–15 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Top
Level: Beginner
Min. tank: 100 L
Min. length: 80 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.23–28 °C

pH6–7.8

Hardness2–15 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1At 12-15 cm it is the largest common gourami, so use a tank at least 80 cm long.
2Males fight relentlessly, so keep one male with several females, or simply a single fish.
3Its labyrinth organ copes with low oxygen, but leave surface access and keep the tank covered.
4Omnivorous on pellets, flakes and some live food in neutral water at 23-28 °C.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Three-spot Gourami against this one — no need to pick it again.

Recorded conflictTiger BarbPuntigrus tetrazona→

Frequently asked questions

How big does Three-spot Gourami get?: Three-spot Gourami reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Three-spot Gourami need?: 23–28 °C, pH 6–7.8, 2–15 dGH. At 5 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Three-spot Gourami?: At least 100 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Three-spot Gourami like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the top and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can Three-spot Gourami be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Three-spot Gourami and Tiger Barb is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.