Tank setup
Size the aquarium to Thick-Lipped Gourami's adult size and activity level. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Thick-Lipped Gourami.
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
A peaceful and hardy gourami, the Thick-Lipped Gourami is often overshadowed by its more colorful relatives but is a wonderful aquarium fish. Males can develop rich reddish-brown and turquoise colors. They are a great alternative to the more sensitive Dwarf Gourami for a peaceful community tank.
Key traits
peaceful
solitary
community
small
easy
omnivore
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Thick-Lipped Gourami healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6–8 and 22–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Thick-Lipped Gourami is an omnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Thick-Lipped Gourami is generally peaceful. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Thick-Lipped Gourami vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
3-PIECE KIT
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Thick-Lipped Gourami, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Pristella Tetra
Pristella maxillaris
- Often kept together
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
In a 75L+ tank
- Often kept together
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
In a 1000L+ tank
- Often kept together
Crystal Black Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Black'
- Often kept together
Corydoras Julii
Corydoras julii
- Often kept together
Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
In a 1500L+ tank
- Often kept together
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Orange Sakura'
- Often kept together
Black Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus