Breeding Three Spot Gourami (Trichogaster Trichopterus) In The Aquarium

Location

This species lives in small, warm ponds, trenches and paddy-fields.

Body description

This species has extra auxiliary respiratory organ known as the labyrinth organ. This organ allows the fish to breathe atmospheric air, so they can live in oxygen-poor waters. Body of the fish is compressed laterally. The fish has elongated, thread-like appendages instead the pelvic fins. Colour of the body is variable. It depends on water conditions. This colour can differ from green-gray to blue-gray with loads of shine dots. Sometimes these dots create strips. There are two, dark spots on the sides of the fish - in the middle part of the body and on the base of the caudal fin. There is also different colour variants of this fish - blue and gold. You can recognize sex of the fish when it matured sexually. Then males have elongated and sharpened the dorsal and anal fins.

Temperament and behaviour

This is quiet and friendly fish. Males can be aggressive towards each other during the spawning season so you should keep single male and a few females in the aquarium.

Aquarium decoration

This species prefers to live in the aquarium with strong light, low water level. Lot of plants, floating plants, space to swim. This fish nicely presents on a dark substrate and dark decorative elements.

Breeding

This is oviparous species. Colors of the fish are more intense during the spawning season. You should breed them in a separate tank. Male builds a nest among floating plants where female lays eggs. You should remove female after the spawn. Male takes care and protects the eggs and fry. The eggs hatch after 1 day. The fry starts swimming and feeding a few days later. You should remove male at that time. The fry grows fast.