From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Snakeskin Gourami
Trichopodus pectoralis
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C
- pH
- 5.8 – 8.5
- Min. tank size
- 280 L
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Trichopodus pectoralis |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (Mekong basin; widely farmed) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 30.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated colour strains — the wild-type fish is what is sold, and the fine reticulated snakeskin pattern over an olive body is its whole appearance. Farmed stock varies in pattern definition and in size, since the species is bred for food as well as for the aquarium trade. The genus is where the comparison matters. Trichopodus contains several familiar fish: T. trichopterus, the three spot gourami and its blue, gold, opaline and cosby colour forms; T. leerii, the pearl gourami; T. microlepis, the moonlight gourami; and this species. Of them, the blue and opaline forms of trichopterus are the ones with a reputation for aggression, particularly the females toward each other, and the pearl gourami is the most peaceful of the smaller species. The snakeskin is the largest and, unexpectedly, one of the calmest. The dwarf gourami, honey gourami and thick-lipped gourami belong to Trichogaster, a separate and much smaller-bodied genus. |
| Lifespan: | 5-8 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:280 L
- Substrate:Dark substrate; planted with floating cover and a calm surface
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Low to moderate (surface air access)
Snakeskin Gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis) is a species of fish in the family Osphronemidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (Mekong basin; widely farmed). The snakeskin gourami is the largest of the Trichopodus and, unusually for a big anabantoid, one of the most easy-going. Specialists describe it as a very peaceful gourami, with males relatively non-territorial toward each other — a description that does not apply to the blue, gold or opaline gouramis, which are the same genus and considerably more difficult. It reaches 300 mm standard length, so it is a substantial fish, patterned with a broken dark lateral line over an olive-green body and a fine reticulated "snakeskin" marking. It is also a food fish. The species is farmed commercially across Southeast Asia and is one of the more important freshwater aquaculture species in the region, which is why it is cheap and widely available. A spawning can produce up to 5000 eggs.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Snakeskin Gourami
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