Dwarf Gourami
Labyrinth fish; one male per tank; prone to disease from poor stock
Overview
The Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is a Freshwater (Tropical) fish growing to about 3.5 in and living 4–6 yrs. It's peaceful (males territorial) and best kept in a pair or small group. Plan a tank of at least 10–20 gal. With a typical lifespan of around 5 years, it's a shorter commitment.
Is the Dwarf Gourami right for you?
A good match if — you want a calm community tank.
Think twice if — you wanted several of the same kind together.
What a Dwarf Gourami needs from you
The ongoing work is water quality: filtration, regular water changes and stable parameters. As a tropical fish it needs a stable, heated tank. Keep it singly, or it will fight its own kind. Don't undersize the tank (minimum about 10–20 gal).
Key facts
- Water type
- Freshwater (Tropical)
- Scientific name
- Trichogaster lalius
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- Life span
- 4–6 yrs
- Temperament
- peaceful (males territorial)
- Social needs
- solo/pair
- Min. tank
- 10–20 gal
- Care level
- beginner-intermediate
- Notes
- Labyrinth fish; one male per tank; prone to disease from poor stock
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 60 g and a ~5-year life, keeping a Dwarf Gourami works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | no data yet |
| Energy | no data yet |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | no data yet |
| Tolerates alone | no data yet |