Banded Gourami (Trichogaster fasciata) Care Guide
Trichogaster fasciata is a South Asian labyrinth fish with diagonal blue and orange bands, larger and more boisterous than dwarf gouramis and a bubble-nest builder.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Trichogaster fasciata, the banded gourami, is a labyrinth fish of the family Osphronemidae marked with diagonal blue and orange bands. It is larger and more boisterous than its dwarf relatives. The species was described by Bloch & Schneider in 1801 and is widely exported for the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Trichogaster
- Scientific name: Trichogaster fasciata
- Described by: Bloch & Schneider, 1801
- Common synonyms: Colisa fasciata
Habitat
The species is distributed across South Asia, including Bangladesh, eastern and northeastern India, Nepal, upper Myanmar, China and Pakistan. It favours vegetated waters such as estuaries, ponds, large rivers, ditches, lakes and rice fields. Like other anabantoids it breathes air using paired supra-branchial labyrinth organs.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
A planted aquarium with surface cover and gentle flow suits this fish. Males reach about 10 cm total length, while females mature at roughly 6-8 cm.
Diet
Trichogaster fasciata is an omnivore that accepts live, frozen and flake foods. A varied diet including small invertebrate foods and vegetable matter supports condition.
Compatibility
This semi-aggressive mid-water species mixes with larger tetras and loaches. Long-finned fish and small nano fish should be avoided, as the gourami can be assertive at feeding and during breeding.
Breeding
The banded gourami is a bubble-nest builder with external fertilisation. The male constructs a surface nest and tends the eggs after spawning.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (2010). The species is widespread across its South Asian range.
Trichogaster fasciata Breeding Guide
Overview
Trichogaster fasciata, the Banded Gourami, is a labyrinth fish that, like many anabantoids, is a bubble-nest builder. The male constructs a large bubble nest among floating plants that can be several inches in diameter, and guards the eggs after spawning.
Sexing
Males are much more colourful than females and develop pointed dorsal and anal fins as they mature, making mature pairs straightforward to identify.
Conditioning
Separate the sexes beforehand and feed plenty of live and frozen foods during this period to bring the fish into breeding condition.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 21-28 C
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Hardness: 5-15 dGH
- Shallow water no more than about 15-20 cm (6-8 in) deep with floating plants
A shallow, well-planted tank with floating cover gives the male a base for his bubble nest and helps the spawning pair.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning occurs under the nest in the typical anabantoid embrace, the male wrapping his body around his mate. Eggs are gathered in the male's mouth and spat into the nest, with between 500 and 1000 eggs produced.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in around 24-36 hours, and the fry become free-swimming after another three days or so. Fry should initially receive infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week, after which they accept brine shrimp nauplii and microworm.
Common Challenges
The very large number of fry requires copious quantities of tiny first foods, and the female should usually be removed after spawning as the male guards the nest. A tight cover retaining warm humid air supports labyrinth-organ development in the fry.