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Labyrinth Fish
/ Belontiidae / Croaking Gourami
Croaking Gourami
Trichopsis vittatus | Pictures
Synonyms: Ctenops
vittatus, Osphromenus vittatus, O. striatus, Trichopsis striata, T. vittata, Trichopus striatus
Physical description: An elongated, laterally compressed fish with pointed anal, dorsal, and caudal fins.
The
back is dark beige, while the flanks are light beige to off-white.
The flanks are marked with three transverse
stripes that are brown to red in color.
These run from the snout, parallel to one another, to the caudal fin.
A spot,
blue or black in color, is located near the gill cover.
The rear half of the body may have a green iridescence.
The
fins range from blue-green to violet in color with overlaying red stripes and spots.
These fins have a blue and red edging.
The
iris of the eye is blue.
Size/Length: To 2.7" (7 cm)
Similar species: Other Trichopsis
species.
Habitat: Inhabits small ponds, canals, creeks, and lakes in Southeast Asia; Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand, Vietnam
S: middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a capacity of 10 gallons (38 L) is sufficient
for a pair.
Follow suggestions for T.
pumilus.
Water chemistry: pH 6.3-7.5 (6.9), 2-14 dH (8), 73-82° (23-28°C)
Social behavior: A timid, peaceful species that can be combined with other small, calm fish.
Males
are occasionally aggressive in defending their territory at spawning times.
Suggested companions: Tetras, Corydoras
, peaceful Barbs, small gouramis, Loaches, Loricarids
FOOD: Live; insect larvae,
Drosophila, crustaceans,
Tubifex; flakes
Sexual differences: Males have a longer anal fin.
Breeding techniques: Similar to T.
pumila, although this species requires a water temperature from
84-88°F (29-31°C), a water hardness from 1-4°dH, and a low water level of 3-6" (8-15 cm).
Up
to 240 eggs are laid and deposited in the bubble nest.
Breeding potential: 8.
Breeding is difficult.
Remarks: This species also emits croaking noises at times of excitement, especially during spawning
acts.
Difficulty of care: 4.
This species is relatively sensitive.
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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