Family: Osphronemidae
Distribution: Trichopsis vittata, commonly known as the Croaking Gourami, is a freshwater species found in Borneo, Java, and Sumatra and from Thailand to Vietnam. It is generally found in stagnant waters with plenty of floating vegetation, particularly throughout the middle and lower areas of the Mekong.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 22°C – 28C (71 – 82F)
Hardness: 5 – 19 dH
Description: Trichopsis vittata can reach a length of 7 cm in an aquarium, but is usually measured at around 4 cm. This species can vary greatly in its colouration, from brown and green to dark purple with black or red spots on its fins. Its irises are a bright blue or purple colour. Females are paler in their colouration than males and have a more rounded dorsal fin. The Croaking Gourami, as you would expect, can make a croaking, grunting noise, particularly during breeding.
Diet: The Croaking Gourami loves eating insects and insect larvae. However, you should feed it a varied diet that includes insects, flake, freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp and some algae-based flakes.
Breeding: The male Croaking Gourami will build a bubble nest in your aquarium, made from air bubbles and leaf mucus. To trigger spawning you should lower the water level by eight inches and keep the circulation to a minimum. After spawning, the female will release 5 – 10 eggs; the male will collect the eggs and spit them into his nest. This will happen several times until 100 – 200 eggs are laid. Move the female after spawning, but keep the male as he will tend to the eggs and fry. Move the male out of the tank when the fry are 2 – 3 days old.
Comments: Trichopsis vittata should be housed in a tank that is about 40 litres in volume, even larger if possible. This fish will prefer a heavily vegetated tank that resembles its natural environment, including floating plants at the top. You should provide plenty of rocks, driftwood and a dark substrate, along with dim lighting and some space at the top of the water so it can gulp the air. You will need to conduct small water changes every now and then to keep it free from disease. This species is reasonably difficult to look after and is suitable for more experienced hobbyists.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Trichopsis vittata should not be housed with large aggressive cichlids. They will live happily with Tetraspecies (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-01-26 22:03:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
