Three-stripe Croaking Gourami (Trichopsis schalleri) Care Guide
Trichopsis schalleri is an Indochinese croaking gourami with three longitudinal stripes, producing audible sounds and breeding by bubble nest.
Overview
Trichopsis schalleri, the three-stripe croaking gourami, is a small labyrinth fish of the family Osphronemidae marked by three sharp longitudinal stripes and translucent, sapphire-flecked fins. It is notable for producing audible croaking sounds.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Trichopsis
- Scientific name: Trichopsis schalleri
Habitat
The species occurs in the lower Mekong River basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, plus tributaries of the Chao Phraya watershed. It prefers sluggish to still environments with dense aquatic or riparian vegetation, including swamps, floodplains and paddy fields.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
A well-planted, shady aquarium with plenty of surface cover, gentle water movement and a secure lid suits this fish, which is an excellent jumper.
Diet
An omnivore, it accepts dried products but should receive small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia or bloodworm for best colour and condition.
Compatibility
Peaceful unless breeding, it can be kept singly or in groups, where it shows interesting social interactions. Small tetras and pygmy corydoras make suitable companions, while aggressive fish should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is a bubble-nester. Males build nests among surface vegetation and females emit purring sounds during courtship. Sound is produced via modified pectoral-fin tendons and muscles, used in both aggression and courtship; fry hatch within about 48 hours.