It reaches about 12 centimetres (4.7 in) Its body is a brownish-silver colour, covered in a pearl-like pattern with a distinct black line running from the fish’s head, and gradually thinning towards the caudal fin. The pearl gourami’s appearance has given rise to other popular names, such as the lace gourami and the mosaic gourami.

Its male specimens, typical of many gouramis, are generally larger and more colourful than their female counterparts. They exhibit bright orange colouring around the throat region, which at breeding time becomes much brighter and is used to court the female. Males also exhibit somewhat of an orange tinge in their fins, with the exception of the caudal (tail) fin. The male also has longer fins, with a more pointed dorsal fin and extended anal fin rays.