Water Quality & Temperature

• Water Type: Three Spot Gouramis thrive in freshwater environments. It is important to ensure that the water in the aquarium is clean, dechlorinated, and free from any harmful chemicals. Regular water changes (about 25-30% of the tank volume each week) will help keep the environment healthy for your fish.
• Water Temperature: They prefer tropical water temperatures ranging from 24-30°C (75-86°F). A heater is recommended to maintain a stable and warm water temperature, which is essential for their overall health.
• Water pH: The ideal pH range for the Three Spot Gourami is between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. It’s a good idea to test the pH regularly to ensure it stays within this range for optimal health.

Tank Size & Setup

• Tank Size: The Three Spot Gourami is a moderate-sized fish that requires a minimum 20-gallon tank to thrive. A larger tank provides more swimming space, which will reduce stress and allow the fish to show its full beauty. A well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots and open swimming areas is ideal for them.
• Tank Setup: They appreciate live plants, which help mimic their natural habitat in the wild. You can include plants like Java fern, Amazon sword, and floating plants that provide cover. Ensure that the tank has gentle filtration, as they don’t like strong water currents. A smooth substrate, like fine gravel or sand, is recommended to avoid damaging their delicate fins.

Tank Mates & Compatibility

• Ideal Companions: Three Spot Gouramis are peaceful and can coexist with other non-aggressive fish. Great companions include tetras, rasboras, catfish (like Corydoras), peaceful barbs, and livebearers (such as guppies). They are also well-suited for community tanks.
• Avoid Aggressive Species: Do not house them with aggressive or fin-nipping species such as cichlids, large barbs, or other Gourami species that might cause stress.

Diet

• Omnivorous Diet: The Three Spot Gourami is omnivorous and will readily eat a variety of foods. High-quality flake food or pellets can be used as the primary food source. Additionally, live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp are excellent supplements to their diet and will help bring out their best colors.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed your Three Spot Gourami once or twice a day. Only offer as much food as the fish can eat within 2-3 minutes to avoid overfeeding and water contamination. A varied diet will ensure that they get all the nutrients they need.

Common Health Issues

• Ich (White Spot Disease): This is a common parasite that causes small white spots on the skin. If your Gourami develops these spots, raise the water temperature slightly and treat with anti-parasitic medication.
• Fin Rot: Caused by poor water quality, fin rot can affect the long fins of the Three Spot Gourami. This can be prevented by maintaining excellent water conditions and avoiding physical damage to the fins.
• Velvet Disease: A gold or yellow dust-like appearance on the fish indicates Velvet Disease, which can be treated with copper-based medications.

Breeding

• Breeding Setup: Breeding Three Spot Gouramis can be rewarding but requires a separate breeding tank. Males will build bubble nests at the surface of the water. The female will lay eggs, and the male fertilizes them and protects the nest. After spawning, it’s important to remove the male to prevent him from eating the eggs.
• Fry Care: Once the eggs hatch, the fry will remain near the bubble nest. Once they begin swimming, feed them infusoria or finely crushed food. It’s important to maintain high water quality to ensure the fry’s survival.