Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

Scientific name: Trichogaster lalius Hamilton, 1822

The Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–28°C (77–82°F). Native range: Asia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. This is the smallest and most popular of the small gouramis which have been widely distributed outside its native range.

Dwarf gourami care at a glance

Temperature: 25–28°C (77–82°F)

Biology

Inhabits slow moving streams, rivulets and lakes with plenty of vegetation. Aquarium keeping: minimum aquarium size 60 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Trichogaster lalius
Family: Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.8
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. This is the smallest and most popular of the small gouramis which have been widely distributed outside its native range.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=600 eggs)