Tell me about my honey gourami

I've had my honey gourami for a month now. When I asked my pet shop to order one for me, I have to admit I was expecting a yellow fish. I really questioned if it was a female honey gourami and they told me they only get males and the order form also states males. So is my gourami one of the more wild (looking) type that have been bred? Will the fish change color with time? I was told he is 5 months at time of purchase so 6 months now.
Just give me any info on what you see. Oh and Clyde is a great little fish, not shy as they sometimes are and a joy to watch.

 

You are extremely lucky. Thats definitely a female honey gourami. Here's a pic of a wild type male next to regular sunset honeys so you can see the difference....the lateral line going all the way through including the eye indicates a female

 

You are extremely lucky. Thats definitely a female honey gourami. Here's a pic of a wild type male next to regular sunset honeys so you can see the difference....the lateral line going all the way through including the eye indicates a female
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Yes very Lucky! Females are pretty hard to get!! Definitely keep it if you can

 

Beautiful fish, Fishstery!! Thanks so much for the help. For sure I'm keeping her, maybe even add a male? Would female, male housed with 8 glowlight tetras be too cramped in a 16 gallon? Maybe so huh? Or could you even house 2 females?

 

Honeys are quite peaceful and I think you would be fine with 2 as long as it is not the narrow column type tank. Just make sure they both have places to hide and get away from each other. They won’t fight at all, but just having a male and female does not mean you will get a pair and she will need space to get away if she is not welcome to his flirting lol! As they said, you are quite lucky to have a pretty little female. I had a pair once and had to go through quite a lot to get a nice healthy female.
I forgot to mention, if you decide to get a second honey, it does not matter if it is male or female. They will get along peacefully either way.

 

Beautiful fish, Fishstery!! Thanks so much for the help. For sure I'm keeping her, maybe even add a male? Would female, male housed with 8 glowlight tetras be too cramped in a 16 gallon? Maybe so huh? Or could you even house 2 females?

Thank you! That stocking will be just fine! They are extremely peaceful....however the wild type i posted a picture of is not. He HATES other honeys so now he has the tank to himself and a small shoal of cardinal tetras lol. Hes a real jerk. Im not sure if its just a wild type thing or what

 

She'll probably be the queen lone honey gourami in there, but greatly appreciate knowing your experiences and informs me for in the future.

 

I haven’t heard of that before; but I believe you. Every fish is different and the honeys certainly do have a lot of personality! I guess your little guy is just a loner. Lol! Little prince had to have his own kingdom and subjects!

 

I haven’t heard of that before; but I believe you. Every fish is different and the honeys certainly do have a lot of personality! I guess your little guy is just a loner. Lol! Little prince had to have his own kingdom and subjects!

He is very aggressive with food. He bullys my cardinals when its feeding time lol. I've never see a honey charge and nip like he does. I used to have him in a group of 4 but he was just the ADHD spaz of the group, always annoying and pestering the others. They'd just sit there and look at him like I found it odd that the sunsets were so calm and chill and the only wild type I have is a maniac lol! He was also the only honey gourami I've had that spits water. Like enough that I have to keep a paper towel on one side of the tank because he will literally spit water ALL over my stand.

 

I’ve had a couple of them do the spitting...anytime they see a small shadow on the surface of the water or a bug fly by etc. I had one that managed to knock a tiny house spider off the inside of the tank lid and gobble it up! They are such neat little fix to watch. Also, everyone told me how peaceful peacock gudgeons can be to other fish, and for the most part they are. I have no issues with my adult females and sub dominate male nor with any of the juveniles I have, but the dominant male is quite a little devil and rules my tank. He even bosses around the Bolivian rams from time to time. Funny how some can be so different from the average huh?
MichelleP What did you name your pretty girl? I mean, are you going to change Clyde’s name now that you know it’s female or just stick with what you have called it for months?

 

I have to consult the family on name lol! I'll update if there is a name change. Peacock gudgeons look really cool, I have to read up on them. I respect your honey gourami for finding their own food that day!

 

We've been saying "Clyde the girl" it might stick as a name. lol

 

why is it so hard to find females? there seems to be a market.

 

why is it so hard to find females? there seems to be a market.

It isn't, female Dwarf Gourami are the only ones that aren't typically sold in stores although that depends on where you are in the world. In Europe, they are often available and sold alongside the male counterparts. Most species of Gourami are usually sold in stores as mixed genders and are not always easily distinguishable.