Breeding Snakeskin Gourami (Trichogaster Pectoralis) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater fish lives in tropical standing reservoirs, slow-flowing waters with a lot of plants, floodplains in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos.

Body description

This is a big fish with elongated body. Colour of the body is gray-beige. There are dark stripes along the sides of the body and dark and diagonal bars on the sides of the fish. This stripe spreads from eyes to the base of the tail. All dark bars fading with age. The species has elongated, thread-like appendages instead of pelvic fins and extra auxiliary respiratory organ known as the labyrinth organ. This organ allows fish to breathe atmospheric air, so they can live in oxygen-poor waters. Female is thicker and less colourful than male. She has small and rounded dorsal fin. Male has red-orange pelvic fins and his dorsal fin is sharp.

Temperament and behaviour

This is quiet, peaceful, friendly and shy species. It can make sounds during the spawning.

Aquarium decoration

This fish prefers a spacious and high tanks with a lot of plants, hiding-places, space to swim and gentle filtration system. Air temperature over the surface of water should be similar to water temperature. A partial water changes (about 25% once per week) should be systematically done.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. Male builds a nest among floating plants. The spawning precedes intense courtships. Finally male wraps his body around female and turns her upside-down. Female lays up to 5000 eggs and male immediately fertilizes it. The roe floats to the nest. Male does not take care and protect the roe and fry. The eggs hatch after 2 days. The fry starts to swim and feed 3 days later. The fry feeds on very fine food.