Elephant ear gourami (Osphronemus exodon) fish species and information / pictures of Elephant ear gourami - Osphronemus exodon

Elephant ear gourami (Osphronemus exodon) fish species information

Scientific Name
Osphronemus exodon

Common Name
Elephant ear gourami

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 11 - 13; Anal soft rays: 17 - 19. Differs from the other three known species of Osphronemus in having oral teeth increasingly enlarged and externalized in large adults, a condition apparently unique within anabantoid fishes. In large specimens examined, over 40 cm SL, all of the jaw teeth are enlarged, especially those in the outermost rows, which lie on the external surface of the jaws entirely outside the mouth when it is shut. Coloration of juveniles and adults also is diagnostic. Small juveniles have 6 or 7 vertical bars and a supra-anal dark oval spot, none of which are retained by adults and subadults. Juveniles over about 10 cm have a reddish orangish stripe on the lower part of the head and breast, a feature not observed in any other species. All adults have extensive dark (almost black) areas ventrally and pale areas dorsally. Several large specimens (especially from Stung Tr

Classification

Classified By
Roberts, 1994
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Gouramies (Osphronemidae)

Distribution

Region
Asia
Distribution
Asia: known only from the Mekong basin.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
pelagic
Environment
Freshwater; pelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)
Trophic Level
2.69 s.e. 0.29 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
60.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,240)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Vulnerable (VU) (A2ce)