Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Three spot gourami

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Kingdom
  
Genus
  
Phylum
  
Chordata

Rank
  
Species

Family
  
Osphronemidae

Scientific name
  
Trichopodus trichopterus

Higher classification
  
Trichopodus

Order
  
Perciformes

Three spot gourami wwwthinkfishcouktropicalfishimagesthreespo

Similar
  
Gourami, Trichogaster, Pearl gourami, Dwarf gourami, Honey gourami

hd my female blue three spot gourami blaue fadenfische weibchen 1 1


The three spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus), also known as the blue gourami, is a species of gourami native to southeastern Asia, but also introduced elsewhere. This fish gets its name from the two spots along each side of its body in line with the eye, considered the third spot. This species is of minor commercial importance as a food fish in its native range and is also farmed. It is also popular in the aquarium trade.

Contents

Three spot gourami Three Spot Gourami Tropical Fish Keeping

Distribution and ecology

Three spot gourami Trichopodus trichopterus Threespot Gourami Seriously Fish

Three spot gourami are native to standing or slow-moving freshwater habitats in southeastern Asia, ranging from Yunnan (China), through mainland southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) to Java, Borneo and Sumatra. They have been widely introduced outside their native range, such as the Philippines, India, Sulawesi, and southwestern Trinidad. These fish live in marshes, swamps, canals, and lowland wetlands. They migrate during the flood season from permanent water bodies to flooded areas, such as seasonally flooded forests in the middle and lower Mekong. During the dry season, they return to these permanent water bodies. These fish feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae. The male builds a bubble nest for the eggs, which he protects aggressively.

In the aquarium

Three spot gourami Three Spot Gourami Tropical Fish Keeping

The three spot gourami is a hardy fish. They can be housed with a variety of tank mates of similar size and temperament. While males can be territorial with each other, they become timid around other, more aggressive fish.

Three spot gourami Blue Gourami Threespot Gourami Trichopodus trichopterus

Male gouramis are known to be very aggressive; they may also be fin nippers and generally may bother other fish in the tank. They often show aggression toward species with long, flowing fins such as male guppies, goldfish, and bettas, because they display long tails and bright colors, presenting competition for impressing a female gourami. Female gourami sometimes bother other fish, but usually keep to themselves.

Three spot gourami Trichopodus trichopterus Threespot Gourami Seriously Fish

Though aquarists are typically told not to house multiple gouramis together, three spot gouramis that have been brought up together in pairs (usually females, especially if they are siblings) and that have stable personalities, can successfully cohabit with each other, provided there is enough room to swim. This varies based on individual personalities, but it has been accomplished by aquarists. In such situations, typically one may assume a more dominant role and grow larger, while occasionally teasing or playfully chasing around the smaller submissive fish, but both will generally be tolerant and cooperative toward each other.

Feeding

The three spot gourami is an omnivore and requires both algae-based and meaty foods. An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp provide these fish with the proper nutrition. Live foods such as mosquito larvae and daphnia are also beneficial.

Breeding

Differentiating between the male and female three spot gourami is by the dorsal fin. In the male, the dorsal fin is long and pointed and the anal fin is pointed, while the female's are shorter and rounded. However, some females may have a dorsal fin as long as the male's. When ready to breed, the male builds a bubble nest and then begins to entice the female by swimming back and forth, flaring his fins and raising his tail. The female may lay up to 800 eggs. After spawning, the females often are removed to a separate aquarium as the male may become aggressive toward her. The male protects the eggs and fry, but normally is removed after they become free-swimming. After hatching, frequent water changes, especially during the third week, are used to ensure the health of the fry, as this is when the labyrinth organ is developing.

Color

Three spot gourami are known to change color (their black spots will fade) when under high stress or when they are not kept under good conditions. Healthy fish have two vivid black spots on each side of their bodies, but these fade with age. Selective bred varieties most commonly available in the aquarium trade are opaline (with a marbled pattern), platinum (whitish), blue and golden (xanthochromistic).

References

Three spot gourami Wikipedia