Rainbow / Banded Gourami (Trichogaster fasciata)

The Rainbow / Banded Gourami (Trichogaster fasciata) is a colourful South Asian labyrinth fish with warm orange banding, turquoise-blue sheen and long, feeler-like pelvic fins. It is also sold as the Indian Gourami, Striped Gourami and, in older trade lists, Colisa fasciata. Those names are kept here as useful identity bridges, but the page is written for real fishkeepers rather than repeating buyer keywords unnaturally.

This listing covers our current two size options: 3-4 cm and 4.5-6 cm. The first gallery image is the original reference photo for this product family, and the additional planted-aquarium images are retained as visual context. Choose this fish if you want a medium gourami with more presence than a tiny dwarf gourami, while still planning for a calm, planted community aquarium.

Quick Facts

Why Choose This Gourami?

Rainbow Gouramis have the classic labyrinth-fish shape: a laterally compressed body, a confident glide through the middle and upper water, and delicate thread-like pelvic fins used to explore their surroundings. Under settled conditions the body can show rich orange-red barring with blue-green highlights, giving the fish a warmer, more natural look than many heavily line-bred aquarium strains.

This is a good choice for a keeper who wants a visible, characterful fish without moving straight into large cichlid territory. It is not a background shoaler and it is not a tiny nano species. It is a centrepiece-style gourami for a planted aquarium where the layout gives it cover, quiet surface areas and space away from fin nippers or very pushy tankmates.

Visual Setup Guide

Tank Setup

A mature, stable aquarium is the best choice. Aim for warm water, gentle movement and plenty of cover. Floating plants are especially useful because they soften the light, create quiet surface pockets and echo the weedy habitats associated with this species. Leave open swimming lanes at the front so the fish can be seen clearly, but avoid a stripped-down display tank with nowhere to retreat.

For substrate and decor, use smooth gravel or sand, planted areas, wood or roots that break up lines of sight, and calm surface space. The fish does not need blackwater conditions, but it appreciates stable water quality and a tank that is not constantly rearranged. Acclimate slowly and avoid adding it to an immature aquarium with unstable ammonia or nitrite.

Care Parameters

Compatibility

This is not a tiny nano fish. It is best with peaceful to moderately robust community fish that will not nip its long fins or bully it at feeding time. Suitable tankmates can include many rasboras, peaceful barbs, larger tetras, Corydoras, loaches and other calm community species chosen for similar water temperatures.

Avoid fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, very boisterous barbs and cramped mixes with multiple territorial labyrinth fish. If you keep more than one male, use a larger aquarium with heavy planting and broken sight lines. During breeding behaviour, males can guard a bubble-nest area and become sharper with rivals. A single specimen in a peaceful planted tank is usually the easiest option for most home aquariums.

Tank Mate Planner

Feeding

Feed a varied omnivorous diet. A good tropical flake or micro pellet can be the base, with frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae or similar foods used several times a week. Small surface foods are appreciated, but make sure slower tankmates still get their share. Colour and body condition are usually best when the diet is varied rather than one dry food every day.

Taxonomy and Name Note

The Indian/Banded/Rainbow Gourami group has a confusing naming history. Older aquarium literature and supplier lists commonly use Colisa fasciata or Trichogaster fasciata, while some modern UK hobby pages discuss Indian Banded/Striped Gourami under Trichogaster bejeus.

Ordering from Tropical Fish Co

Your fish is packed for live-animal transport and sent with tracked courier delivery. First-time customers can use WELCOME10 at checkout where eligible, and our Live Arrival Guarantee is there to give you confidence when ordering livestock online. Please make sure someone is available to receive the parcel, float and acclimate the fish carefully, and contact us quickly if there is any delivery concern.

Compare Before You Buy

• Browse live tropical fish if you are planning a full community order.
• Compare community fish for calmer tankmate ideas.
• Add suitable tropical fish food if you need a varied diet ready for arrival week.
• Read the Live Arrival Guarantee before choosing a delivery day.

Sources Checked

• FishBase species record: adult size, freshwater range, pH/hardness guidance, weedy habitat, air-breathing and male bubble-nest behaviour.
• Fishkeeper / Maidenhead Aquatics care page: UK hobby name bridge, furnished-aquarium guidance and older Colisa fasciata naming context.
• USGS species profile: 12 cm size cross-check and native-range context for tropical Asia.
• Our stock records for SKUs 7089/7090: current size options, live Shopify variants and the exact source photo retained as first gallery media.

FAQ

Is the Rainbow / Banded Gourami peaceful?

It is usually suitable for a peaceful community aquarium, but it is not completely passive. Males may become territorial, especially in small tanks or during breeding behaviour, so give it space and cover.

Can I keep more than one?

Yes, but plan the group carefully. A larger planted tank with broken sight lines is strongly preferred, and multiple males need more space than a single fish.

Does it need access to the surface?

Yes. Like other gouramis, it has a labyrinth organ and will breathe air from the surface, so do not block the surface completely.

What name should I search for?

Useful names include Rainbow Gourami, Banded Gourami, Indian Gourami, Striped Gourami, Trichogaster fasciata and the older Colisa fasciata.