Page 114 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

112 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Belontia signata Belontia hasselti Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Combtail Java Combtail Chocolate Gourami

ORIGINS Southern Asia, restricted to the island ORIGINS Southeast Asia, found on the Malay Peninsula, ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring on the Malay
of Sri Lanka. Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and other islands. Peninsula, as well as on Sumatra and Borneo.
SIZE 5 in (12.5 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm).
1
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); hard WATER Temperature 61–82°F (16–28°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic (pH 6.0 –6.5). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Lively by nature. TEMPERAMENT Aggressive when spawning. TEMPERAMENT Rather shy and nervous.
Dark spot on Java Combtails from different islands can vary
dorsal fin markedly in appearance. The characteristic
honeycombed patterning is most prominent in
males in breeding condition. Males do not build a
bubble nest—the eggs simply float to the surface—
but if danger threatens, they take the eggs into their
mouth and move them elsewhere. Hatching occurs
Overall color within a day, and the fry are free-swimming after a
is reddish-gold further three days. Unlike many anabantoid fry, the
or bluish
young can be reared immediately on brine shrimp.
The extended caudal-fin rays of this fish resemble the
teeth of a comb. The coloration is naturally variable,
ranging from red through yellowish-orange to A variable chocolate-brown coloration and paler
shades of brown. Combtails are not suitable vertical bands characterize this mouth-brooder.
for a community tank, because they tend to be The male, pictured above, has a more pointed
disruptive. They can also be rather nervous; house dorsal fin than the female. Chocolate Gouramis
them in a tank with plants and bogwood for cover. from Borneo have red markings on their fins. Peat
Females must be removed after spawning, because and regular water changes are needed to maintain
males then become very aggressive. ideal water conditions.

Trichopodus leerii Trichopodus pectoralis
Pearl Gourami the reddish coloration on their underparts. They Snakeskin Gourami
can be kept in community aquariums, but as with
ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring on the Malay all gouramis and some other anabantoids, avoid ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring in Cambodia
Peninsula, as well as on Sumatra and Borneo. mixing them with fin-nipping fish such as barbs. A (Kampuchea), Thailand, and the Malay Peninsula.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). breeding tank for a pair of Pearl Gouramis should SIZE 8 in (20 cm).
DIET Prepared foods, vegetables, and live foods. have a relatively low water level—about 4 in (10 DIET Prepared foods and live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) cm) deep—and must be spacious. The male builds a WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and neutral (pH 7.0). large bubble nest among plants, with the female and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Males may quarrel. laying up to 1,000 eggs. The fry will hatch within TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive.
a day or so and be free-swimming within a further
These gouramis display a delicate patterning of three days. They should be given The mottled, almost vertical markings of these
whitish, pearl-like spots. Males are easily infusoria or a commercial fish bear some resemblance to snakeskin. Males
recognizable from the age of about seven months by substitute as their first food. can be recognized by their taller dorsal fins, while
females have yellow rather than orange edging on
their fins. Snakeskin Gouramis live and breed in
shallow waters, often in rice paddies. Including an
airstone in the rearing tank
will help to circulate the
microscopic food
needed by newly
hatched fry.

Darker horizontal line
runs along body

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