Synonyms: Trichopodus pectoralis Physical description: An elongated, moderately compressed fish with a small dorsal fin. The anal fin nearly the length of the body and the pelvic fins are long and thread-like. The back is olive and the flanks are greenish gray with a silver iridescence. An obvious black band extends from the snout, through the eye, and to the caudal penuncle. The underparts are white. The rear part of the body may be marked with faint transverse stripes. The fins are also gray-green, and the iris of the eye may be amber under favorable water conditions. Size/Length: To 12" (30 cm), although not usually more than 6" (15 cm) in captivity. Similar species: None Habitat: Rice patties, shallow ponds, and swamps in Southeast Asia; Cambodia, Thailand, and Southern Vietnam. S: bottom, middle Aquarium: A 24" (61 cm) or 10-20 gallon (38-76 L) tank is sufficient for fish to 4" (10 cm) in length. Larger specimen should be kept in a 32" (81 cm) or 30 gallon (114 L) tank. As for set-up, follow suggestions for T. leeri. Water chemistry: pH 5.8-8.5 (6.8), 2-30 dH (7), 72-86°F (22-30°C) Social behavior: A peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank. Males are relatively nonaggressive even at spawning times. Suggested companions: Barbs, Danios, Tetras, Corydoras, Angelfish, Loaches, Gouramis, Loricarids. FOOD: Live; Tubifex , insects, insect larvae, crustaceans; flakes; pellets; chopped spinach and lettuce Sexual differences: The dorsal fins of male fish are pointed and the pelvic fins are orange to red. Breeding techniques: Follow suggestions for T. leeri. Breeding potential: 6. Breeding is not difficult. Remarks: This fish is not as frequently imported as other gouramis. This species is eaten in its native lands. Difficulty of care: 2. A hardy, peaceful species recommended for the beginner's community tank. Recent articles about fish Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees (2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health. Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees (10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine. Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater (12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina. |
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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me. |
