Identity and search names

Common name
Pearl gourami
Scientific name
Trichopodus leerii
Other names
Pearl gourami, Lace gourami, Mosaic gourami, Trichogaster leerii, Trichopodus leerii
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Bettas and gouramis
Origin
Lowland peat swamps and slow waters of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo; native populations have declined in parts of the range
Review outcome
PASSED

Environment and housing

Environment
Freshwater
Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
Up to about 12 cm total length
Expected lifespan
About 5–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 200 L with dense planted cover for a pair or small social group
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness or minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to moderate with floating plants
Social structure
Keep a compatible pair or a spacious group with more females than males and clear retreat zones
Placement or swimming zone
Upper and middle water with surface access
Temperament
Usually peaceful but males become territorial when breeding
Compatibility
Use calm peaceful fish that share its warm soft-water range; avoid fin nippers and aggressive gouramis
Habitat structure
Long, densely planted aquarium with floating cover, gentle flow, open surface access and warm humid air above the water

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Small invertebrates, zooplankton, plant matter and varied high-quality prepared foods
Feeding frequency
Feed measured varied meals once or twice daily and prevent shy fish being excluded

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
The male builds a surface bubble nest among floating plants. Remove the female if attacked after spawning and separate the male after fry become free-swimming.
Parental care
Male guards the nest and eggs until fry are free-swimming

System demands

Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
This profile applies to Trichopodus leerii. Trichogaster leerii remains a former combination and must not be used to create a duplicate record.
Adult size and space
Up to about 12 cm total length. At least 200 L with dense planted cover for a pair or small social group. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep a compatible pair or a spacious group with more females than males and clear retreat zones
Placement or swimming zone
Primary zone: Upper and middle water with surface access. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Small invertebrates, zooplankton, plant matter and varied high-quality prepared foods
Feeding plan
Feed measured varied meals once or twice daily and prevent shy fish being excluded
Water stability
Maintain 24–28 °C; pH 5.5–7.5; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Adult projected load
Plan capacity for Keep a compatible pair or a spacious group with more females than males and clear retreat zones at the documented adult size (Up to about 12 cm total length) in At least 200 L with dense planted cover for a pair or small social group. Include feeding intensity, territorial behaviour and breeding growth rather than counting sale-size juveniles.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.
Habitat structure
Long, densely planted aquarium with floating cover, gentle flow, open surface access and warm humid air above the water
Compatibility plan
Use calm peaceful fish that share its warm soft-water range; avoid fin nippers and aggressive gouramis
Breeding plan
The male builds a surface bubble nest among floating plants. Remove the female if attacked after spawning and separate the male after fry become free-swimming. Parental care: Male guards the nest and eggs until fry are free-swimming.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. The species is Near Threatened in the wild. Cramped bright aquaria, aggressive tankmates and untraceable wild collection undermine both welfare and conservation.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
The species is Near Threatened in the wild. Cramped bright aquaria, aggressive tankmates and untraceable wild collection undermine both welfare and conservation.
Overridable warnings
The species is Near Threatened in the wild. Cramped bright aquaria, aggressive tankmates and untraceable wild collection undermine both welfare and conservation. Any override must still preserve adult space, social welfare, stable chemistry, oxygen and filter capacity.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. The species is Near Threatened in the wild. Cramped bright aquaria, aggressive tankmates and untraceable wild collection undermine both welfare and conservation.
Main warning
The species is Near Threatened in the wild. Cramped bright aquaria, aggressive tankmates and untraceable wild collection undermine both welfare and conservation.
Biosecurity
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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