Page 115 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ANABANTOIDS/GOURAMIS 113

Trichopodus microlepis Trichopodus trichopterus
Moonlight Gourami Three-Spot Gourami Traces of dark
vertical bands
ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring mainly in Thailand, ORIGINS Southeast Asia, where it occurs in Myanmar
but also found in Cambodia (Kampuchea). (Burma), Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Prepared foods, vegetables, and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and live foods. Pelvic
WATER Temperature 79–86°F (26–30°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft “feelers”
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). Golden Opaline Gourami These
TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Males are aggressive toward each other. fish are of a rich yellow shade, with
spotted patterning on the fins.
Tiny, silvery scales give Moonlight Gouramis a very Contrary to their name, the spotted patterning of
shiny appearance, typically with a greenish tinge. Three-Spot Gouramis is variable, as is
The long, trailing pelvic fins help to distinguish the their coloration. These fish can
sexes, being red in males and yellow in females. be sexed by the dorsal fin,
Floating plants are important to provide cover in which has a more elongated tip
the main aquarium and anchorage for the large in males. Three-Spots are easy
bubble nest in the breeding tank. The nest itself to keep, because they are hardy
may extend up to 2 in (5 cm) above the surface. and unfussy eaters. The male
creates a bubble nest up to 10 in
Reddish iris (25 cm) across at the surface among
Lateral line floating plants. After spawning, remove
the female to protect her from the
male. The fry should initially be reared
on infusoria. Good water quality needs to
be maintained in the tank as the fry develop.
Blue Gourami This subspecies (T. t. sumatranus)
Juvenile from Sumatra has been used to breed ornamental
strains. Two black spots characterize the wild form.

Osphronemus goramy Helostoma temminckii
KISSING CONTESTS
Giant Gourami Kissing Gourami
Part of the appeal of Kissing Gouramis comes
ORIGINS Southern Asia; original range is unknown, ORIGINS Southeast Asia, from Thailand and the Malay from the way in which individuals lock their
because it has been captive-reared for centuries. Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo. fleshy lips together, as if kissing. In reality,
SIZE 28 in (70 cm). SIZE 12 in (30 cm). however, this lip-locking is a test of strength
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods, vegetables, and live foods. between the individuals, the gouramis
WATER Temperature 68–86°F (20–30°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) remaining attached by the lips until the
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). and neutral (pH 7.0). weaker fish breaks away. Although this
TEMPERAMENT May be aggressive and predatory. TEMPERAMENT Not normally disruptive. “kissing” behavior is primarily a way of
settling disputes, it can also have a breeding
There are two forms of Kissing Gourami; the function. Gouramis of opposite sexes may
wild-type fish is silvery in appearance, while the behave in this way—sometimes locking on
domesticated strain has a pinkish body color. to the body instead of the lips—in order to
Visual sexing is difficult, although females swell find a compatible partner of similar strength.
with spawn when in breeding condition. In the
aquarium, these gouramis dig for food in the
substrate, and also browse on algae growing on
rocks or the glass of the tank. They may even
nibble at plants, especially if any of the more
Lacelike delicate species are growing in their tank.
Older body pattern
adult
Young Giant Gouramis are different in appearance
from adults, having a narrow, pointed head and
vertical body stripes. As they mature, they develop
a more rounded head shape and a grayish body. As
the largest anabantoids, these fish need a spacious,
well-filtered tank, if not a pond. They are prolific Fleshy
spawners, with females laying up to 20,000 eggs. lips

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