Three Spot Gourami Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Three Spot Gourami is a large, graceful freshwater labyrinth fish with a deep, laterally compressed body and long thread-like pelvic fins. Its common name refers to the dark spot on each side of the body and the eye, which is sometimes described as the third spot. Wild-coloured fish are usually blue-grey to greenish with subtle marbling, while aquarium strains include blue, opaline, gold and lavender forms.

This species moves calmly through the middle and upper levels of the aquarium, using its sensitive feeler-like pelvic fins to explore its surroundings. Although often peaceful, adults can become territorial, particularly males, and may squabble with one another or intimidate smaller, timid fish.

Three Spot Gouramis possess a labyrinth organ, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air at the surface. This adaptation helps them survive in warm, stagnant and oxygen-poor waters, but they still benefit from clean, stable aquarium water.

In nature, they are found among dense aquatic vegetation and submerged roots, where their muted colours and slow movements provide useful camouflage. They are inquisitive fish with engaging personalities and are often quick to recognise activity outside the aquarium.

Three Spot Gouramis are native to mainland Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, with populations also established elsewhere through the aquarium trade. They inhabit slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds and flooded rice-growing areas.

A single adult Three Spot Gourami should have at least 110 litres, with a tank around 90 cm long by 30 cm wide or larger; extra volume and floor length are needed for pairs or community groups. Use a secure lid with a small layer of warm, humid air above the water because the species regularly gulps atmospheric air. Include dense planting around the sides and rear, floating plants, driftwood and other visual breaks, while leaving open swimming space. A dark, fine-grained substrate helps display the fish's colours, and gentle filtration is preferable to strong turbulent flow. Maintain water at 24–28°C and a pH of approximately 6.0–8.0.

Up to 15 cm (6 in) in total length. Males are generally slightly larger and more elongated than females.

These omnivorous gouramis accept a varied diet of quality flakes, granules and small pellets, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae. They also appreciate occasional vegetable matter, including algae-based foods or blanched vegetables. Feed modest portions once or twice daily and vary the menu to support colour, growth and long-term health.

Three Spot Gouramis can live with peaceful, similarly sized community fish such as larger rasboras, peaceful barbs, Congo Tetras, peaceful rainbowfish, swordtails, platies, kuhli loaches and medium-sized Corydoras. Avoid fin-nippers, very boisterous species and fish small enough to be swallowed. Males may fight with other males, and keeping multiple gouramis requires plenty of space, visual barriers and a suitable sex ratio; a single male with one or more females is generally more manageable than a group of males.

Three Spot Gouramis are bubble-nest breeders. Provide floating plants and gentle surface flow, then condition the fish with nutritious live or frozen foods. The male builds a bubble nest among the floating cover and courts the female beneath it. After spawning, he gathers the eggs into the nest and guards them, while the female should be removed if she is being harassed. Remove the male once the fry are free-swimming, and raise the young on infusoria or commercially prepared first foods before moving them onto baby brine shrimp.

Males usually have a longer, more pointed dorsal fin, while females have a shorter, rounded dorsal fin and a fuller, deeper-bodied profile. Mature males may also show stronger colouration, especially when courting or defending territory.