| Category | Rating |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Mostly placid, but the male can be aggressive |
| Color | Blue, gold, silver, and mottled |
| Lifespan | ~5 years |
| Size | ~5 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Scientific Name | Trichopodus trichopterus |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30-gallons |
| Tank Setup | Freshwater, plants, caves |
| Compatibility | Other similar-sized gouramis, and other peaceful freshwater fish |
Distribution
The three spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) inhabits the Mekong Basin. The fish is native to freshwater rivers, swamps, and marshes in Southeast Asia.
Three spot gouramis were once found exclusively in parts of China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. Now, these fish are found in the Philippines, India, and parts of Trinidad.
During the dry season, three spot gouramis remain in rivers, marshes, and swamps. However, during heavy rain and flooding, they move into flooded forests. The fish make their way back to their original habitat once the floods subside.
Adult Size & Lifespan
Three spot gouramis grow up to six inches long in the wild, where they have unlimited space. Captive-bred three spot gouramis will grow up to five inches long.
To help your gouramis grow to their full potential, keep them in a large tank that is kept clean, and feed them high-quality food.
Most three spot gouramis live four to six years. Aggressive tankmates or stressful encounters can shorten the fish’s lifespan.
Appearance & Behavior
The three spot gourami has a striking appearance. The species has an interesting blue and silver coloration, and is occasionally found in gold.
Three spot gouramis have two spots along the side of their bodies. One spot is located in the center of the body, and one is close to the tail. These spots are in line with the eye, making the eye look like a third spot.
The male three spot gourami has a long, pointed dorsal fin. The female’s dorsal fin is more rounded. The female will appear round and swollen. This shows the fish’s readiness to breed and happens when the female fish fills up with eggs.
Gouramis are small fish that grow up to five inches long in captivity. When gouramis have more room to swim and explore, they grow up to six inches long.
Sub-species of gouramis are about the same size as the three spot gourami. Dwarf varieties are an exception as they have a maximum length of two inches and are smaller than three-spot gouramis.
Aggressive male three spot gouramis become cautious and withdrawn around large, aggressive fish. Gouramis will hide when they feel threatened.
Male gouramis are incompatible with other male gouramis. Keep three female three spot gouramis with one male gourami to control aggression. Male gouramis will harass females, which can cause stress, so ensure there are plenty of females in the tank.
Three spot gouramis are active swimmers and stay close to the top of the tank. They have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe in oxygen from above the water’s surface.
Look for signs of stress in three spot gouramis, as stress makes these fish prone to disease. Distressed fish behave in the following ways:
- Loss of appetite
- Breathlessness
- Clamped fins
- Unusual swimming patterns
Three Spot Gourami Care
The three spot gourami is a hardy fish that is easy to care for.
Three spot gouramis are found in slow-moving water with thick vegetation so you should decorate their tank with natural plants that are common in their natural habitat. Plants such as duckweed are great additions to the tank.
Provide three spot gouramis with a balanced diet of meat and plant-based food. These fish are omnivorous and feed on insect larvae and algae in the wild.
Three spot gouramis are prone to common aquarium diseases and health issues such as Ich and constipation. Most diseases are easy to treat with medication or frequent water changes.
Disease
You should look out for the following signs, as they may be indications of disease taking hold:
- White spots appear on the body and fins.
- Sudden change in color.
- Sudden change in swimming pattern or behavior.
- Refusing to eat.
- Peeling scales.
The most common disease to affect three spot gouramis is ich. This condition is a viral infection that causes white spots to develop on the fish’s body and tail. Treat this condition with antibiotic drops. Add the drops directly to the water.
You should also treat the water in the community tank, in order to prevent the other fish from getting sick. You should only return the affected fish to the community tank a few days after all the spots have cleared up.
Three spot gouramis can become constipated from eating a poorly balanced diet. You should feed high-quality food that has enough fiber. A lack of fiber in the diet prevents the digestive system from getting rid of waste. The main symptom of constipation is a swollen belly. Treat the affected fish by feeding flakes or pellets that are high in fiber.