Red Honey Gourami
Posted by Max Gandara on on 24th Aug 2025
The Red Honey Gourami (*Trichogaster chuna*) is a peaceful and colorful freshwater fish that makes a wonderful addition to community aquariums. A selectively bred color variation of the Honey Gourami, this fish is prized for its vibrant reddish-orange body and gentle temperament. Its small size, elegant swimming style, and bright coloration make it especially popular among aquarists who enjoy planted or community tanks.
Native to slow-moving rivers, ponds, and lakes of India and Bangladesh, Honey Gouramis thrive in calm, well-planted aquariums that mimic their natural environment. They usually grow to about 2 inches in length, making them one of the smaller gourami species and suitable for medium-sized aquariums of 15 gallons or more.
The Red Honey Gourami is a labyrinth fish, which means it has a special organ allowing it to breathe atmospheric air. Because of this, they will often swim to the surface for gulps of air. They prefer warm water with temperatures between 74–82°F, a pH of 6.0–7.5, and gentle filtration that doesn’t create strong currents.
These fish are known for their peaceful nature and do very well with other calm species such as rasboras, small tetras, corydoras, and shrimp. Males are more brightly colored than females, and during breeding, their colors intensify even further. They are bubble nest builders, with males creating nests at the water’s surface to protect and care for eggs.
Feeding Red Honey Gouramis is easy since they are omnivores. They will readily accept high-quality flakes, pellets, and a variety of live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. Offering a varied diet will enhance their color and health.
With proper care, Red Honey Gouramis can live 4–6 years. Their gentle personality, striking appearance, and compatibility with many tankmates make them a favorite choice for aquarists looking to add both beauty and tranquility to their aquariums.