Aquendium

Moonlight Gourami

Trichopodus microlepis

Also known as: Moonbeam gourami

Quick Facts

  • Adult size: 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 inches)
  • Minimum tank size: 150 litres (40 gallons)
  • Lifespan: 4–6 years
  • Temperament: peaceful
  • Swimming level: middle-and-top
  • Diet: omnivore
  • Minimum group size: 1
  • Difficulty: intermediate

Water Parameters

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A large, gentle, almost plain gourami whose beauty is in its sheen: a silvery body washed with a faint greenish moonlight glow, set off by long thread-like pelvic feelers and, in males, orange-red eyes and a longer dorsal. Among the calmer of the bigger gouramis, it suits a quiet, planted community of medium-sized fish, cruising the upper water and rising to gulp air at the surface in the manner of all labyrinth fish. It wants warmth, a tight lid to keep the air above the water humid and warm, plenty of cover to feel secure, and unhurried tankmates that will not strip its slowly-taken food. Understated rather than showy, it is an elegant, peaceable centrepiece for a larger community.

Tankmates

One of the more peaceful of the larger gouramis, best kept as a single fish or one male with two or more females in a planted tank with cover. Like all labyrinth fish it needs surface access and a warm, covered tank, and being a slow, deliberate feeder it is easily beaten to food by fast, greedy tankmates. Avoid other gourami species and bettas, which it competes with, and avoid fin-nippers, which target its long thread-like pelvic feelers. Pair it with calm, medium-sized community fish: peaceful tetras and rasboras, corydoras, rainbowfish, and quiet catfish. Small nano fish and shrimp may be eaten.

Compatible with

Avoid keeping with

Common Problems

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20

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