Care
The Noble Gourami is found in densely vegetated shallow water habitats in the wild, or amongst rafts of floating vegetation in streams and rivers. Unlike the superficially similar chocolate gouramis (Sphaerichthys sp.) these are not generally fishes of strongly acidic, mineral-free blackwater.
The aquarium must be biologically mature before this delicate species is added. Provide them with a myriad of hiding places amongst tangles of bogwood, rocky caves, and dense planting, including a generous layer of floating plants to help recreate their preferred habitat. Filtration should be efficient but water movement gentle, and we'd suggest the use of aquarium botanicals to help emulate the natural water conditions. The addition of leaf litter would further help in this respect - dried Indian Almond leaves (Terminalia catappa) are ideal and are readily available. Much attention must be paid to water quality since these delicate fishes will not tolerate elevated nitrates or swings in water chemistry; small partial water changes should be carried out on a frequent basis. As adults are known to be rather quarrelsome, they are best maintained in small groups of 6 or more to dissipate their territorial aggression and a large aquarium will provide room to avoid conflict. If tankmates are desired, they should be capable of thriving in the same conditions, including seasonal drops in temperature, which are always best combined with reduced daylength for temperate/subtropical fishes. Good companions could include shoals of small cyprinids such as Danios or even Rosy barbs. Bear in mind that competition at feeding time may be a limiting factor, but the presence of shoaling dither fishes will make these shy labyrinths feel more confident.
Perhaps appropriately for a species known to be challenging, the alternative common name of Frail gourami is sometimes used.
Feeding
To avoid nutritional deficiencies, offer a range of dry foods such as flake or granules. Newly acquired fish may need live or frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia and rinsed brineshrimp at first.
Breeding
This species is a paternal mouthbrooder and has been bred in the home aquarium. A scarcity of spawning accounts reflects the rarity of this fish and the difficulties in conditioning them. The brooding male will release up to 150 fry which are capable of taking newly-hatched brineshrimp upon release.
