Moonlight Gourami

Moonlight Gourami (Trichopodus Microlepis)

The Moonlight Gourami, also known as Moonbeam Gourami, is a beautiful and peaceful freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. They have a unique silvery-blue iridescent body with a slightly elongated, flattened shape and long, flowing ventral fins. Adult Moonlight Gouramis grow to about 5-6 inches in size.

Moonlight Gouramis have a calm and somewhat shy personality, making them suitable for community tanks with other peaceful fish of similar size. They do well in groups, with a minimum of 4-5 individuals, preferably with more females than males, to reduce potential aggression during breeding.

Moonlight Gouramis can thrive in community tanks either as pairs or in groups, provided that sufficient hiding spots are available for the more timid individuals who may be prone to bullying. Suitable tankmates include other labyrinth fish and larger species like Redtail Botia, Corydoras, and Angelfish. Avoid keeping Moonlight Gouramis with smaller fish because they may be mistaken as food. Additionally, avoid tankmates that are too vigorous for these skittish fish.

It is important to avoid housing Moonlight Gouramis with fin-nipping species like clown barbs, as their long fin filaments can be enticing targets. Generally shy by nature, Moonlight Gouramis should be kept exclusively with non-aggressive tankmates to ensure their well-being.

These fish are omnivorous, and their diet should consist of a mix of high-quality flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.

They enjoy densely planted aquariums with plenty of hiding spots, driftwood, and floating plants to mimic their natural habitat.

They prefer a pH of 6.0-8.0, a hardness of 4-18 dGH, and a temperature range of 75-82°F (24-28°C). A small group of Moonlight Gouramis ideal community aquarium size is a minimum of 50 gallons or more.