Blue Gourami!

The Blue Gourami, a.k.a. the Trichopodus trichopterus, can also be called the Three-Spot Gourami.  It may reach up to 4 inches in length, and has two spots alongside its body.  Where, you may ask, is the third spot?  It is the eye that appears as the third spot being directly aligned with the other two spots!  The colors of a Three-Spot Gourami are prone to change if their mood changes or if the conditions of the tank are altered. Typically, their spots may fade with age but this is not always the case.  This species of fish can come in opaline, platinum, gold, and blue.

 Native southeast Asia, it can be naturally found in slow-moving waters such as marshes, swamps, canals, and low wetlands.  It thrives rather well in environments with diminished oxygen due to its labyrinth organ, which allows it to breathe air directly from the surface of the water. Being omnivorous, these fish require both meat-based and plant-based diets such as algae / flake foods, freeze-dried foods, shrimp, worms, and daphnia.

These fish are hardy and tolerant of less than ideal conditions as long as there are no strong currents, aggressive tank-mates, and as long as there are plenty of hiding places for this docile species.  It prefers heavily planted aquariums with room enough above the plants to sip some air from the surface of the water.  

This petite, peaceful species can be kept in pairs or small groups of similar fish, but preferably not with any large or aggressive fish that may try to bully them.  Blue Gourami's can be kept with many different species of tank mates with similar size and temperament.  Male gourami's might even exhibit some small signs of bullying to other fish in the tank, especially if the victims have long tails / fins or bright colors.  However, even though male gourami's may get a bit territorial-aggressive, they are still timid around other larger, more aggressive fish; and these territorial tendencies will most likely lessen if the tank is large enough with plenty of space.  Keep a lid on your tank with these little guys, too, as they can be fantastic jumpers! 

Right now until March 14th, you can get your very own Blue Gourami's for only $3.49 each at Uncle Bill's Pet Centers!