Trichogaster

The honey gourami, Trichogaster chuna, is a labyrinth fish from the Ganges and Brahmaputra systems of India and Bangladesh, with records from Nepal. Virtually all fish on sale are commercially produced, and ornamental strains such as 'red', 'sunset' and 'golden' exist. Slow-moving and easily outcompeted, it needs peaceful tankmates and does best in a group of four to six.

The banded gourami, Trichogaster fasciata, is a labyrinth fish from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar, found in sluggish, weedy waters. The largest species in its genus, it is a popular food fish in its native countries. Peaceful, it suits most quiet community tanks, but should not be kept with the thick-lipped gourami because the two can hybridise.

The thick-lipped gourami, Trichogaster labiosa, is a labyrinth fish known only from southern Myanmar, found in shady, weedy rivers and ponds. Easy to keep and peaceful, it is one of the best gouramis for a community tank. A gold or 'sunset' strain has been selectively bred for the trade. It should not be kept with the banded gourami because the two can hybridise freely.

The dwarf gourami, Trichogaster lalius, is a labyrinth fish from Pakistan, northern India and Bangladesh. All the fish in the trade are mass-produced, and several line-bred colour forms are sold, including 'Sunset' and 'Neon'. Stock quality has fallen badly, and mass-breeding may have spread dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV), which appears to be very infectious and can pass to other species sharing the water.