Moonlight gourami
A small, silvery labyrinth fish native to Southeast Asian rivers and swamps.
The moonlight gourami (Trichopodus microlepis) is a peaceful freshwater species from Indochina. It thrives in low-oxygen waters thanks to its labyrinth organ and is widely kept as an aquarium pet.
- Reaches a maximum length of 13 centimetres.
- Silvery body with a greenish hue resembling moonlight.
- Uses a labyrinth organ to breathe atmospheric air.
- Male builds bubble nests for spawning.
- Native to Mekong and Chao Phraya basins.
What it is
This small freshwater fish reaches about thirteen centimetres long. Its body shines with a silver colour that carries a faint green tint, resembling the soft light of the moon. The head slopes inward at the front, setting it apart from other similar species. Males display orange or red pelvic fins and long dorsal fins that end in a sharp point. Females have paler pelvic fins and shorter, rounded dorsal fins. During breeding, the male’s ventral fins turn bright red and thread-like.
Where it lives
Native to the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, this species also inhabits the Chao Phraya basin. It has been introduced into the Mekong basin in Thailand. Populations exist in Colombia, likely escaping from aquarium facilities. The fish prefers shallow, slow-moving water rich in plants, such as ponds, swamps, and lower Mekong floodplains.
How it lives
These fish feed on insects, crustaceans, and zooplankton. They possess a labyrinth organ, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air directly. This adaptation lets them survive in oxygen-poor water and even out of water for several hours if kept moist. They are peaceful and often seen gulping air at the surface.
Breeding and life cycle
Males construct bubble nests without much plant matter. They court females through specific movements before wrapping around her to trigger egg release. Up to two thousand eggs are fertilized and rise to the nest. Eggs hatch after two to three days of incubation within the protective bubbles.
Fish and people
The moonlight gourami is a popular choice for home aquariums due to its peaceful nature and striking appearance. Its ability to survive in varied conditions makes it suitable for less controlled environments. There is no significant commercial food use mentioned, but it holds interest among hobbyists and researchers studying labyrinth fish biology.
Status and threats
However, introductions outside its native range, such as in Colombia, raise potential ecological considerations. As a common aquarium trade species, it remains widespread in its native habitats.
Questions people ask about Moonlight gourami
What makes the moonlight gourami unique?
It possesses a labyrinth organ that allows direct air breathing. This helps it survive in low-oxygen water and briefly out of water if moist. Its silvery-green colour and concave head also distinguish it from other gouramis.
Where does the moonlight gourami live?
It is native to the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam and the Chao Phraya basin. It inhabits shallow, vegetated ponds and swamps. Introduced populations exist in Thailand and Colombia.
How do moonlight gouramis breed?
Males build bubble nests and perform courtship dances. They wrap around females to release up to 2000 eggs. Fertilized eggs float to the nest and hatch after two to three days.
Good reading and sources
- Moonlight gourami on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Moonlight gourami", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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