Snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis)

Scientific name: Trichogaster pectoralis Regan, 1910

The Snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows to about 25 cm (9.8 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 23–28°C (73–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.3. Native range: Asia, Mekong river basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam; also Chao Phraya river basin.

Snakeskin gourami care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Community tank
Good
Adult size
25 cm (9.8 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
23–28°C (73–82°F)
pH
6.0–8.3
Hardness
2–30 dGH (36–535 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 9 - 12; Anal soft rays: 33 - 38. Dorsal fin with short spines and long soft rays. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. First soft ray of pelvic fins prolonged into a tentacle extending posteriorly to hind margin of caudal fin. Body with numerous dark oblique cross bands which are not always distinct; presence of irregular black stripe from eye to middle of caudal fin base.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Trichogaster pectoralis
Family
Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
25.0
Common length
15.0
Depth range
4 m (13 ft)
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.3; dH range: 2 - 3 benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 4 - ? m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Mekong basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam; also Chao Phraya basin. Introduced elsewhere and at least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=1,000-10,000 eggs)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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