One of the comparatively larger aquarium fish, the pearl gourami grows to about 4 inch. It is the most attractive of the gouramis, with a body colouring of turquoise suffused with mosaic pearly dots, not unlike exquisitely fine lace. A jagged, dark brown line runs from the mouth via the eye, and fades away as it approaches the tail. The ventral fins are long and slender, and are frequently carried pointing forward.
The pearl gouramis are timid and they tend to hide behind plants and rocks. This is their only drawback.
During the breeding period, the throat and breast of the male will turn a rich golden rust colour. They make exceedingly great parents, as neither the female nor the male is very inclined to eat the eggs or young and rarely, if ever, do the males attack the females during courtship; this is unusual for this kind of breeder. Breeding follows the standard description and also the temperature should be approximately 80°F. The number of eggs which are laid is generally fairly considerable.