From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Three Spot Gourami
Trichopodus trichopterus
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
- pH
- 5.5 – 8.5
- Min. tank size
- 110 L
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Trichopodus trichopterus |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (Mekong basin and widely across the region) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 15.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | Several long-established colour strains, all the same species and all carrying the same temperament risk. The natural form is blue-grey with the two dark flank spots visible. The blue gourami is a selected, more saturated version of it. The gold gourami is a yellow-orange strain with the spots faint or absent. The opaline, sometimes sold as the marbled gourami, carries a swirled dark pattern over blue that obscures the spots entirely. The cosby is a related marbled selection, and silver and platinum forms also appear. Because most of the strains have had the natural markings altered, the "three spot" name survives on fish that show no spots at all — and sexing by pattern becomes impossible, which is why the pointed dorsal fin is the marker to use. Long-finned versions of several strains exist and are best avoided in a species where an individual may turn on its tank mates. Related fish sold alongside it include the moonlight gourami (Trichopodus microlepis), the snakeskin gourami (T. pectoralis) and the pearl gourami (T. leerii) — the pearl being markedly more reliably peaceful and the better choice for a community tank. |
| Lifespan: | 5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:110 L
- Substrate:Dark substrate; planted with floating cover and calm surface
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Low to moderate (surface air access)
Three Spot Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) is a species of fish in the family Osphronemidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (Mekong basin and widely across the region). The three spot gourami is one of the hardiest fish commonly available in the trade, and one of the least predictable in temperament. It comes from the Mekong basin and widely across Southeast Asia, and reaches 150 mm standard length — considerably larger than most people expect from the small blue or gold fish in a shop tank. The name comes from two dark spots on the flank, with the eye counted as the third. Its tolerance is remarkable: 24–30 °C (75–86 °F), pH 5.5–8.5, and hardness anywhere from 3 to 35 dGH. Almost no tap water on earth is wrong for it. Its temperament is the problem. Specialists put it as a contradiction — while often recommended as a community fish this is not always so, because some individuals can become very spiteful as they mature while others remain peaceful. You cannot tell which you have bought until it grows up.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- top
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Three Spot Gourami
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