Gourami Fish Price in India 2026: All Types and Care Guide
Gouramis breathe air, tolerate low oxygen, and handle Indian conditions better than almost any other tropical fish. Full price list and care guide.
Gouramis are labyrinth fish, which means they gulp air at the surface and can survive in water that would suffocate other species. In Indian homes, where summer heat and power cuts routinely drop dissolved oxygen, that makes them one of the most practical tropical fish you can keep.
Gourami Price List India 2026
| Variety | Price (INR) | Adult size | Min tank | Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf Gourami | ₹80-₹200 | 8 cm | 1.5 ft | Peaceful, males can be territorial |
| Honey Gourami | ₹100-₹250 | 7 cm | 1.5 ft | Very peaceful, great for beginners |
| Pearl Gourami | ₹150-₹350 | 12 cm | 2.5 ft | Peaceful, one of the most beautiful |
| Blue / Three Spot Gourami | ₹80-₹200 | 13 cm | 2.5 ft | Semi aggressive as it matures |
| Gold Gourami | ₹80-₹200 | 13 cm | 2.5 ft | Colour form of three spot |
| Opaline Gourami | ₹100-₹250 | 13 cm | 2.5 ft | Marbled blue, semi aggressive |
| Kissing Gourami | ₹150-₹400 | 25 cm | 4 ft | Grows large, "kissing" is actually sparring |
| Moonlight Gourami | ₹200-₹450 | 15 cm | 3 ft | Silvery, calm, needs space |
| Chocolate Gourami | ₹250-₹600 | 6 cm | 2 ft | Delicate, soft acidic water only |
| Sparkling / Croaking Gourami | ₹120-₹300 | 4 cm | 1 ft | Nano species, audible croaking sound |
| Giant Gourami | ₹250-₹1,500 | 45-60 cm | 6 ft pond or tank | Becomes a very large pet fish |
| Paradise Fish | ₹100-₹250 | 10 cm | 2 ft | Hardy, tolerates cool water, aggressive to its own kind |
💡Giant gourami are sold at 3-4 inches for a few hundred rupees and reach nearly two feet. They are commonly kept in ponds and large tanks across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Do not buy one for a 2 foot tank because it looks cute in the shop.
Gourami Care
- Temperature: 24-29°C. Most gouramis handle Indian room temperature without a heater in the south and west.
- pH: 6.0-7.5, though farm bred stock adapts to most Indian tap water.
- Surface access is mandatory. They must be able to reach the surface to breathe air. Never fill a tank to a sealed lid with no air gap.
- Flow: gentle. Strong current stresses them and interferes with surface breathing.
- Plants: floating plants are ideal. Gouramis build bubble nests among them and feel secure under cover.
- Diet: omnivorous. Quality flake or pellet plus frozen bloodworm or brine shrimp twice a week.
- Lifespan: 4-6 years for most species, longer for giants.
Stocking and Aggression
The most common gourami mistake is keeping two males of the same species in a tank that is too small. Males of dwarf, three spot, opaline and gold gouramis defend territory and will harass each other relentlessly.
- One male per tank under 3 feet, or one male with two or three females.
- Honey and sparkling gouramis are the exceptions and can be kept in small groups.
- Provide sight breaks with plants and decor so a chased fish can escape line of sight.
- Do not mix gouramis with bettas. Both are labyrinth fish and both claim the surface.
- Avoid fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, which target long gourami feelers.
Good Tank Mates
Corydoras, loaches, rasboras, larger tetras, platies, mollies, peaceful barbs like cherry barbs, and bristlenose plecos all work well. Gouramis occupy the upper and middle levels, so bottom dwellers make an efficient community.
Common Problems
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dwarf gourami iridovirus (fading, bloating, sudden death) | Widespread in mass farmed dwarf gouramis | No cure. Buy from a reputable source, quarantine, consider honey gourami instead |
| Long feelers nipped short | Tiger barbs, serpae tetras, or an aggressive tank mate | Remove the nipper; feelers regrow slowly |
| Gasping and hiding at the surface constantly | Poor water quality or low oxygen | Test water, do a 30% change, add aeration |
| Male building bubble nests and chasing everything | Breeding behaviour | Normal; add hiding places or remove the female if she is being harassed |
| Refusing food after purchase | Transport stress | Dim lights, offer frozen bloodworm, give it 3-4 days |
Breeding Gouramis at Home
Most gouramis are bubble nest breeders and among the easier tropical fish to spawn. Lower the water level to about 20 cm, raise the temperature to 28°C, add floating plants, and condition the pair on live or frozen food. The male builds a bubble nest, wraps around the female under it, and then guards the eggs. Remove the female after spawning, and the male once the fry are free swimming. Feed fry infusoria then baby brine shrimp.