Croaking Gourami
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A curious species able to vocalize during courting and spawning. JJPhoto.dk
Overview
The Croaking Gourami is so named because both males and females emit croaking noises during breeding, with the males croaking more loudly during their displays of dominance. The sound is produced by air in the fish’s labyrinth apparatus, the complex organ that allows bubblenesting species to breathe air at the surface and extract atmospheric oxygen.
Family: Osphronemidae
Other common name(s):
- Talking Gourami
Native range:
Habitat: Trichopsis vittata prefers a well-planted aquarium, with hiding places in the form of rocks, driftwood or inverted flowerpots, as this species is fairly timid. Include a layer of floating plants. A darker substrate will make them feel more comfortable and help show off their colors.
Maximum length: 7 cm (3 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 19 L (5 gal)
Water: Freshwater 22 °C (72 °F) - 26 °C (79 °F)
General swimming level: Mid-level to surface.
Feeding
The Croaking Gourami will accept a wide variety of commercial aquarium fare, including good-quality flake foods (include algae-based flakes), as well as frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, tubificid worms and brine shrimp. Supplement with occasional live foods, such as bloodworms, to best view their natural hunting behaviors.
Aquarium Compatibility
This is a good community fish, although males are likely to scrap with each other, especially during spawning.
Breeding/Propagation
The male builds a bubblenest under leaves at the surface, as illustrated in the photograph above. Male is the upper fish, with longer fins. Female has a more rounded shape.
Notes
Keep one male with two or more females.