A pale silver fish with a slightly concave forehead and no markings at all, so it looks like a sliver of moon hanging under the plants. The males trail long orange feelers.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Fin rot
- Swim bladder disorder
Care at a glance
- ExerciseLow
A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
- GroomingAttentive tank care
Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceSome experience helps
A little know-how makes life smoother.
- Commitment4โ6 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Fin rot ยท Swim bladder disorder
๐ Care guide
The Moonlight Gourami (Trichopodus microlepis) comes from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and reaches about 15 to 18 cm. Its appeal is its plainness: an unbroken silver body with a faintly greenish sheen and a concave head profile, with mature males showing orange to red thread-like pelvic fins and a longer, more pointed dorsal. A pair or small group needs 150 litres or more at 25-30C, pH 6.0 to 7.5 in soft to moderately hard water, with dense planting, floating cover, warm still surface air above the water and gentle flow. Feed flake, pellets and frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. It is one of the calmer large gouramis, considerably less territorial than a three spot, and it suits a big planted community with barbs, larger tetras and corydoras. It is shy at first and needs cover to settle, and its long pelvic filaments are attractive to fin-nippers, so avoid tiger barbs and serpae tetras. A tight lid and a warm air layer above the water protect the labyrinth organ.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Moonlight Gourami?
Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
How much maintenance does a Moonlight Gourami need?
Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
What tank size does a Moonlight Gourami need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Moonlight Gourami a good fit for first-time owners?
Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.
How long do Moonlight Gourami live?
4โ6 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Moonlight Gourami?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
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