Pygmy gourami
A tiny freshwater fish from Southeast Asia known for its iridescent colours and ability to make sounds.
The pygmy gourami is a small freshwater species native to Southeast Asia. It lives in slow-moving waters and is popular in the aquarium trade for its hardiness and unique croaking noise.
- Reaches only 4 cm in standard length.
- Produces audible croaking sounds using pectoral muscles.
- Uses a labyrinth organ to breathe atmospheric air.
- Males build bubble nests and guard the eggs.
- Popular aquarium fish tolerant of varied water conditions.
What it is
This small fish reaches just four centimetres in length. Its body resembles an arrowhead and displays red, green, and blue hues that shimmer like a rainbow. The eyes often appear bright blue under proper lighting. Males show distinct red spots above a lateral stripe, while females have duller markings. They possess a labyrinth organ, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air directly from the surface. This adaptation helps them survive in water with low oxygen levels.
Where it lives
Native to Southeast Asia, this species inhabits slow rivers, rice paddies, ditches, and small ponds. It prefers standing water rather than stagnant pools, especially areas covered by dense floating vegetation. The natural environment typically features a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, moderate hardness, and temperatures ranging from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.
How it lives
These fish feed on zooplankton and aquatic insects in the wild. In captivity, they accept flakes, live prey, and frozen foods once or twice daily. They are not schooling fish but can coexist peacefully in small groups if provided with hiding places. They avoid strong currents and may be targeted by aggressive tank mates like tiger barbs or male bettas. They sometimes prey on small shrimp species.
Breeding and life cycle
Males construct bubble nests under broad-leaved or floating plants. During mating, the male embraces the female as she releases eggs into the nest. He guards the eggs vigorously and may attack other fish. Eggs hatch within one to two days, and fry remain in the nest for two to three days to absorb their yolk sac. Free-swimming fry require microscopic food before transitioning to brine shrimp.
Fish and people
The pygmy gourami is kept in the aquarium trade due to its hardiness and tolerance of less-than-ideal conditions. A heavily planted ten-gallon tank with subdued lighting is ideal. Keepers must ensure space between the water surface and the tank cover for air breathing. They are suitable for smaller aquaria but should not be housed with nippy fish. Breeding can be induced by raising temperature and lowering water levels.
Questions people ask about Pygmy gourami
Why does my pygmy gourami make noise?
They produce a croaking or clicking sound using specialized pectoral muscles. This noise is typically associated with courtship rituals or territorial disputes with other fish.
What kind of tank setup do they need?
They thrive in heavily planted tanks with subdued lighting and plenty of hiding places. Avoid strong currents and ensure there is space between the water surface and the lid for air breathing.
Can I keep pygmy gouramis with other fish?
They can live peacefully in small groups but should not be housed with aggressive or nippy fish like tiger barbs or large danios. Male bettas will also target them.
How do I breed pygmy gouramis?
Induce breeding by raising the temperature and dropping the water level. Males build bubble nests and guard the eggs. Remove other tankmates during this process to prevent aggression.
Good reading and sources
- Pygmy gourami on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pygmy 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.
Like Pygmy gourami
All other fish
WorldSilver dollar
Round, silver tropical fish related to piranhas, popular in aquariums.Other · Rivers and lakes
Southeast AsiaBumblebee goby
Small striped freshwater and brackish gobies from AsiaOther · Rivers and lakes
Southeast AsiaKissing gourami
A Southeast Asian freshwater fish known for its unique mouth-to-mouth sparring behaviour.Other · Rivers and lakes
🇨🇳 China and 4 moreCelestial Eye goldfish
Fancy goldfish with upward-facing telescope eyesOther · Rivers and lakes