Three spot gourami
Hardy freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia with distinct side spots.
The three spot gourami is a freshwater species from Southeast Asia, valued in aquariums and as minor food. It reaches 15 cm and displays varied colours including blue, gold, and marbled opaline patterns.
- Named for two body spots plus the eye
- Males build bubble nests for eggs
- Reaches 15 cm in standard length
- Popular aquarium fish with many colour morphs
- Native to Southeast Asian wetlands
What it is
This fish is a hardy freshwater species known for two black spots on each flank, which count as the third spot alongside the eye. It grows to 15 cm and exhibits various colour forms such as blue, gold, and marbled opaline. The dorsal fin helps distinguish sexes, with males having longer, pointed fins compared to the rounded fins of females.
Where it lives
Native to standing or slow-moving waters in Southeast Asia, its range extends from Yunnan in China through mainland nations like Thailand and Vietnam to Indonesian islands. It inhabits marshes, swamps, and canals. Populations have been introduced to regions including India, the Philippines, and Trinidad.
How it lives
These omnivores feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae in the wild. In captivity, they accept algae-based flakes and live foods. Males can be territorial and aggressive toward long-finned tank mates, while females are generally more peaceful. They migrate seasonally between permanent water bodies and flooded forests.
Breeding and life cycle
Males construct bubble nests to hold eggs during spawning. They entice females by flaring fins and raising tails. A single female may lay up to 800 eggs. The male guards the clutch aggressively, often requiring removal of the female post-spawning. Fry need clean water as their labyrinth organ develops.
Fish and people
Valued in the aquarium trade for its hardiness and colour varieties, it is also farmed as a minor food fish in its native range. Aquarists appreciate its resilience but must manage male aggression. Selective breeding has produced popular morphs like platinum, lavender, and Cosby patterns.
Questions people ask about Three spot gourami
Why is it called the three spot gourami?
The name comes from the two black spots on each side of its body, which are counted along with the eye as the third spot. This distinctive marking helps identify the species among other gouramis.
Are three spot gouramis aggressive?
Males can be territorial and aggressive, especially toward fish with long, flowing fins like bettas or guppies. Females are usually more peaceful. Keeping them with similar-sized, non-aggressive tank mates is recommended.
What do three spot gouramis eat?
They are omnivores that eat zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae in the wild. In aquariums, they thrive on algae-based flakes, freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp, and live foods like daphnia.
Good reading and sources
- Three spot gourami on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Three spot 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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