Trichogaster leeri

Common name: Pearl Gourami
Origin: Southeast Asia, primarily found in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Optimal living conditions:

• Temperature: 24 - 28°C
• pH: 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
• Aquarium size: Minimum 80 liters

Adult fish size: 8 - 10 cm

Diet: The Pearl Gourami is an omnivore. Provide a varied diet that includes high-quality flake food, pellets, live, and frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. You can also offer plant-based foods like spirulina or blanched vegetables to keep them healthy.

Tankmates: Peaceful by nature, Trichogaster leeri gets along well with other peaceful species. Suitable tankmates include tetras, rasboras, other gouramis, small catfish, and livebearers. Avoid keeping them with overly aggressive or fin-nipping species. Pearl Gouramis can be a bit territorial, especially males, so it's best to keep only one male in a tank unless it's large enough to create separate territories.

Note: The Pearl Gourami is highly valued for its striking appearance, with iridescent scales that shine under aquarium lighting, resembling pearls. These fish are relatively easy to care for and do well in a planted tank with plenty of hiding spots. Like other gouramis, they possess labyrinth organs, which allow them to breathe air from the surface, making them more tolerant of low-oxygen environments. They prefer calm waters with gentle filtration and will appreciate floating plants in the tank to provide cover and mimic their natural habitat.

Note: While they are generally hardy, keeping them in a well-maintained tank with stable water parameters is key to their health. It's also best to provide a peaceful environment to prevent stress, which could lead to health issues.