Trichogaster chuna

The Honey Gourami is a fascinating labyrinth fish originating from the slow-moving, densely vegetated rivers, ponds, and rice paddies of Asia. Its natural environment informs its ideal aquarium setup: a tank with minimal water flow, abundant plant life, and floating vegetation to diffuse lighting and provide security. This species is known for its cautious and gentle demeanor, making it a suitable addition to a peaceful community aquarium with other small, non-aggressive fish. Fast-moving or boisterous tank mates can cause stress and outcompete it for food.

Physiologically, its most notable feature is the labyrinth organ, a specialized structure that allows it to gulp air from the surface. This adaptation is crucial in its native, often oxygen-depleted habitats and is frequently observed in the home aquarium. These fish are methodical swimmers, often using their modified pelvic fins like sensory feelers to navigate and investigate their surroundings. Their social profile is best described as a loose shoal; keeping them in a small group encourages them to be more active and less timid. However, males can become territorial, especially when ready to breed, and may stake out small areas of the tank. Providing a complex environment with visual barriers like driftwood and dense plant thickets helps mitigate potential disputes.

As omnivores, their diet in the wild consists of small insects, larvae, and algae. In captivity, a balanced diet is crucial for their health and longevity. It should include a high-quality staple flake or micro-pellet, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. They are also known to be biofilm consumers, often seen grazing on the surfaces of plants and decorations. With a typically low metabolism and waste output, they do not place a heavy bioload on the aquarium’s filtration system, but consistent water quality maintenance remains essential for their long-term well-being.

Trichogaster chuna, a validated species within the family Osphronemidae, is a small anabantiform fish native to freshwater systems in India and Bangladesh. For many years, it was widely known in scientific literature and the aquarium hobby under the synonym Colisa chuna. As a member of the Osphronemidae family, it is characterized by the presence of a suprabranchial chamber containing a labyrinth organ, which enables aerial respiration in hypoxic water conditions—a common characteristic of its native habitat of stagnant ponds, ditches, and floodplains.

This species exhibits a compressiform body shape, being laterally flattened, which is an adaptation for navigating the dense aquatic vegetation of its environment. Its pelvic fins are modified into long, thread-like sensory organs used to touch and interpret its immediate surroundings. Ecologically, T. chuna functions as a micropredator and grazer. Its diet primarily consists of zooplankton, small aquatic crustaceans, insect larvae, and aufwuchs (biofilm). This feeding behavior plays a role in controlling populations of small invertebrates and contributes to nutrient cycling within its ecosystem. Its metabolism rate and subsequent oxygen consumption are low, allowing it to thrive with a minimal bioload impact. The species has been assessed by the IUCN and is listed as Least Concern, indicating a stable and widespread wild population. Its ability to tolerate a moderate range of water hardness and pH levels contributes to its resilience and successful establishment in various habitats.

Breeding the Honey Gourami is considered moderately difficult and presents a rewarding challenge for the dedicated hobbyist. For a successful attempt, a dedicated breeding tank is highly recommended, conditioned with soft, acidic water and a slightly elevated temperature. The ideal setup should include a single male with a pair or trio of females to disperse the male's focused breeding attention and reduce stress on any single female. Dim lighting and an abundance of floating plants, such as hornwort or Riccia fluitans, are crucial as they provide an anchor for the nest and cover for the female.

Distinguishing between the sexes is key. Mature males are typically slimmer and develop more intense coloration when in breeding condition. Females, conversely, are generally plumper, especially when carrying eggs, and retain a more subdued appearance. The reproductive process begins with the male constructing a bubble nest at the water's surface. He meticulously blows air bubbles coated in saliva to form a floating raft. Once the nest is complete, he will court a female with a display of elaborate swimming patterns. Spawning occurs directly beneath the nest in a unique 'embrace,' where the male wraps his body around the female, turning her upside down as she releases her eggs, which he then fertilizes. The buoyant eggs float up into the nest, and the male may assist by collecting any strays in his mouth and placing them securely. After spawning is complete, it is essential to remove the female, as the male becomes highly protective and aggressive while guarding the nest. He will tend to the eggs until they hatch. Once the fry become free-swimming, the male should also be removed to prevent him from consuming them. The newly hatched fry are minuscule and require microscopic foods like infusoria for the first week, after which they can be transitioned to newly hatched brine shrimp and powdered fry food.