Thick-lipped Gourami
Trichogaster labiosa
Osphronemidae
About
The thick-lipped gourami is a labyrinth fish from the slow, weed-choked rivers, ponds and paddy channels of southern Myanmar, reaching around 9 cm. It is noticeably larger and heavier-bodied than the dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) or the honey gourami (Trichogaster chuna), and the fleshy upper lip that gives it its name is obvious once the fish is settled. Wild males are rusty brown crossed by oblique turquoise bars; almost everything sold in shops, however, is the selectively bred orange-red 'Sunset' line, in which the females are nearly as colourful as the males. Like all anabantoids it gulps atmospheric air at the surface, so it needs an unobstructed water surface and a warm, humid air layer under a close-fitting lid. Temperament is genuinely peaceful, and because it has not been inbred to the same degree it is far less prone to the iridovirus that has wrecked mass-bred dwarf gourami stock, which makes it the more dependable centrepiece for a calm community tank.
Care
Calm, well-planted tank from 70 L and 75 cm long at 22-28°C, with very gentle flow, floating plants for cover and a tight lid that keeps the air above the water warm. Keep as a pair or small group; peaceful, hardy and easy to feed.
Diet
Undemanding omnivore; flake, granules and pellets plus live or frozen daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp, with occasional spirulina or blanched vegetables.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (73)
Possible with care (109)
Avoid (89)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Dorsal fin shapeStrong · from about 4 months
In most gouramis the dorsal fin ends differently between the sexes, and it can be read from outside the glass without touching the fish.
- The ovipositorStrong · from about 4 months
A small white tube at the vent, just behind the ventral fins, visible on a mature female from below or head-on. It reads as a single white dot.
- Extended finsA hint only · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Thick-lipped Gourami need?
- A Thick-lipped Gourami needs an aquarium of at least 70 litres (18.5 US gallons) with a footprint at least 75 cm (29.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Thick-lipped Gourami need?
- Thick-lipped Gourami does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 4–15 °dGH.
- What group size does a Thick-lipped Gourami need?
- Thick-lipped Gourami is a social species — keep a group of at least 2 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Thick-lipped Gourami suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Thick-lipped Gourami is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.