Snakeskin Gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis)
The Snakeskin Gourami is a peaceful and relatively hardy fish. It is not as vividly coloured as some tropical fish. Still, it has a particular charm and is well suited to a community tank with other gouramies or medium-sized peaceful fish. Although this fish is a slow grower, it can grow quite large, so it would be best to avoid mixing it with tiny fish.
Small dorsal fins and an elongated, somewhat compressed body characterize the Snakeskin Gourami. Anal fins are nearly the same size as the frame, and pelvic fins are long and thread-like. The zig-zag lines from the base of the tail to the eye of juvenile snakeskin gouramis are strikingly intense.
They have olive backs and greenish-grey flanks with a silvery glow. There is an apparent, distinct black band that extends from the nose, through the eye, and to the caudal peduncle and their underparts are white. The rear portion of the body may exhibit faint oblique stripes. The fins on these fish are greyish-green, and the eye's iris may be amber under suitable water conditions.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichopodus pectoralis |
| Year Described | 1910 |
| Other Names | None |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Anabantiformes |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Genus | Trichopodus |
| Origins | Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Reproduction | Bubble nest |
| Lifespan | 3- 5 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 5.5 - 8.5 |
| GH | 2 - 30 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 72 - 86℉ 22.2 - 30℃ | |
Feeding
These Gouramis eat a variety of live, fresh, and flake foods in the aquarium. For the best results, feed them twice a day a high-quality flake or pellet food as the staple diet.
They eat a lot of green foods in their natural environment, so they need regular offerings of spirulina, algae wafers, and blanched lettuce. You can also supplement with bloodworms, brine shrimp, white worms, or any other suitable alternative. Snails and fry will not be eaten by this fish.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is moderately easy to differentiate males from female Snakeskin Gouramis. The dorsal fins of male fish are more pointed, and the pelvic fins are orange to red. The males are also slimmer. In contrast, females are much duller than the males are more plumper.