Three spot gourami
| Three spot gourami | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Genus: | Trichopodus |
| Species: | T. trichopterus |
| Binomial name | |
| Trichopodus trichopterus (Pallas, 1770) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Trichopodus trichopterus, the three spot gourami, is a species of gourami native to southeastern Asia. This fish gets its name from the two spots along each side of its body in line with the eye, considered the third spot.[2] This species is of minor commercial importance as a food fish in its native range and is also farmed. It is also popular in the aquarium trade.[3]
Distribution and ecology
Three spot gourami are endemic to the Mekong basin in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Yunnan in Southeast Asia.[3] These fish live in marshes, swamps, canals, and lowland wetlands. They migrate during the flood season from permanent water bodies to flooded areas, such as seasonally flooded forests in the middle and lower Mekong. During the dry season, they return to these permanent water bodies.[3] These fish feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae.[3] The male builds a bubble nest for the eggs, which he protects aggressively.[4]
In the aquarium
The three spot gourami is a hardy fish.[4] They can be housed with a variety of tank mates of similar size and temperament. While males can be territorial with each other, they become timid around other, more aggressive fish.[4]
Male gouramis are known to be very aggressive; they may also be fin nippers and generally may bother other fish in the tank. They often show aggression toward species with long, flowing fins such as male guppies, goldfish, and bettas, because they display long tails and bright colors, presenting competition for impressing a female gourami. Female gourami sometimes bother other fish, but usually keep to themselves.
Feeding
The three spot gourami is an omnivore and requires both algae-based and meaty foods. An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp provide these fish with the proper nutrition. Live foods such as mosquito larvae and daphnia are also beneficial.
Breeding
Differentiating between the male and female three spot gourami is by the dorsal fin. In the male, the dorsal fin is long and pointed and the anal fin is pointed, while the female's are shorter and rounded. However, some females may have a dorsal fin as long as the male's. [4] When ready to breed, the male builds a bubble nest and then begins to entice the female by swimming back and forth, flaring his fins and raising his tail. The female may lay up to 800 eggs.[2] After spawning, the females often are removed to a separate aquarium as the male may become aggressive toward her. The male protects the eggs and fry, but normally is removed after they become free-swimming.[2] After hatching, frequent water changes, especially during the third week, are used to ensure the health of the fry, as this is when the labyrinth organ is developing.
Colour
Three spot gourami are known to change colour (their black spots will fade) when under high stress or when they are not kept under good conditions. Healthy fish have two vivid black spots on each side of their bodies. Also, their spots fade with age. Cultivars most commonly available are brown, white, blue , yellow.
Varieties
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Gold and blue gourami
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Opaline gourami
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A "golden" cultivar, often sold as simply "golden gourami"
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trichogaster trichopterus. |
References
- ↑ Vidthayanon, C. 2012. Trichopodus trichopterus. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 April 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Axelrod, Herbert R. (1996). Exotic Tropical Fishes. T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-543-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2007). "Trichopodus trichopterus" in FishBase. May 2007 version.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Sanford, Gina (1999). Aquarium Owner's Guide. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-4614-6.