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Labyrinth Fish
/ Belontiidae / Dwarf Croaking Gourami
Dwarf Croaking Gourami, Green Croaking Gourami, Pygmy Gourami, Pygmy Purring Gourami
Trichopsis pumila | Pictures
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Synonyms: Ctenops
pumilus
Physical description: An elongated, laterally compressed fish with a pointed caudal fin.
The back is beige, as are the lower
parts.
A brown transverse stripe extends from the snout to the caudal fin.
Above this is a white stripe, and above
that markings is a broken brown band.
The flanks also have a green iridescence.
The outer parts of the iris of the eye
is orange, while the inner iris may be blue.
The fins are colorful, being light
blue in color with red spots.
The
fins are edged with red and blue.
Size/Length: To 1.5" (4 cm)
Similar species: Other Trichopsis
species.
Habitat: Inhabits small vegetation choked ponds, canals, and puddles in Southeast Asia; Sumatra,
Thailand, Vietnam
S: middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 16" (41 cm) with a capacity of 5 gallons (19 L) is sufficient
for a pair.
The tank should be heavily planted And include a cover of floating plants.
Provide hiding places among rocks and
wood, and use a dark substrate.
Water chemistry: pH 5.5-7 (6.6), 2-10 dH (6), 77-82° (25-28°C)
Social behavior: A timid, peaceful species that can be combined with other small, calm fish.
Males
are aggressive in defending their territory at spawning times.
Suggested companions: Tetras,
Corydoras, Colisa, Trichopsis, Pangio, Loricarids
FOOD: Live; insect larvae,
Drosophila, crustaceans,
Tubifex; flakes
Sexual differences: Males have a more elongated dorsal fin.
Breeding techniques: The male builds a bubble nest under a large leaf.
This nest is small and inconspicuous.
During
spawning, when the fish embrace, croaking noises can be heard.
Each embrace produces a small number of eggs.
This
procedure lasts until 70-180 eggs are produced.
These are guarded by the male.
Remove the female at this point.
The
eggs hatch after 44-48 hours.
The fry remain in the nest for two additional eggs.
Start feeding with infusoria and roftiers.
Breeding potential: 7.
Breeding is fairly difficult.
Remarks: This species is sensitive to changes in pH, so water changes should be frequent and
partial.
Difficulty of care: 5.
This peaceful species is a bit too sensitive to be recommended for the beginning aquariast.
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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