Moonlight Gourami
Trichopodus microlepis
Min Tank Size
150L
Adult Size
15 cm
Lifespan
5 years
About
Native to the slow, murky river systems and floodplains of Thailand, Cambodia, and the Mekong basin, the Moonlight Gourami is one of the more understated beauties in the hobby. That silvery, almost metallic body catches light in a way that shifts subtly between silver, green, and pale blue depending on the angle, and those soft red-orange pelvic fins add just enough warmth to make the whole package genuinely elegant. They grow to around 15 centimeters, which catches some people off guard if they've only seen juveniles at the store.
Water-wise, they're pretty flexible. Soft to moderately hard water, a pH somewhere in the 6.0 to 7.5 range, and temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius suit them well. They come from warm, oxygen-poor environments and breathe atmospheric air using a labyrinth organ, so access to the surface is non-negotiable. Keep the area above the waterline warm and humid, or cold air drafts can cause respiratory infections.
Feeding them is easy. They take flake, pellet, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and even soft vegetable matter without fuss. They tend to be deliberate, slow feeders, so fast tankmates will out-compete them if you're not careful about feeding placement.
Their personality leans toward shy and observant. Heavy planting and floating cover help them feel secure and bring out their natural behavior. A moonlight gourami in a well-planted tank with driftwood and subdued lighting is a genuinely striking display fish, and seeing real setups built around them is worth exploring if you're considering adding one.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Moonlight Gourami together
Moonlight Gourami is mildly territorial. Small groups can work in spacious tanks with broken sightlines, but expect occasional squabbles.
Compatibility
Good tankmates are calm, similarly sized fish that won't harass or outcompete them at feeding time. Larger tetras like bleeding hearts or black skirts work well, as do rainbowfish, peaceful barbs like Odessa or cherry barbs, and most bottom dwellers like corydoras or smaller plecos. Avoid tiger barbs, serpae tetras, and anything else that nips fins, since those long pelvic fins are obvious targets. Dwarf shrimp are a gamble; the gourami likely won't hunt them deliberately, but small shrimp disappearing isn't uncommon. Larger amano shrimp are generally fine. Two males can coexist in a well-decorated tank of 200 liters or more.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common beginner mistake is housing them in a tank that's too small or too busy. They need space and calm. Surface access is critical because cold drafts over open tanks cause labyrinth inflammation, which is more serious than it sounds. They're also slow eaters, so target feeding or feeding in a low-flow zone helps ensure they're actually getting enough food. Shy behavior, hiding constantly, or clamped fins usually means something in the environment is stressing them, often an aggressive tankmate or insufficient cover.
Behavior & Aggression
Moonlight gouramis are almost never the aggressor in a community setting. The main exception is male-on-male tension, which can surface in smaller tanks or when two males are kept together without enough visual barriers. It usually shows up as posturing and slow chasing rather than serious fin damage, but a subordinate male can still end up chronically stressed. Outside of conspecific rivalry, they're remarkably non-confrontational and rarely bother even small, delicate species.
Things to Know
- Males can become mildly territorial with other males, especially in smaller tanks.
- Shy fish; loud environments or aggressive tankmates cause chronic stress.
- Large enough to eat dwarf shrimp, even if not actively hunting them.
- Reaches 15 cm, requires a large aquarium.
- Males can be territorial with each other.
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