Croaking gourami

Trichopsis vittata

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.8 in (7 cm)
Minimum tank: 25 gal (95 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: South East Asia
Family: Osphronemidae

Overview

The croaking gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish that is happiest in a group and mixes well in a quiet community. It occupies the middle of the tank and likes to hang among plants and near the surface. Keep several together and pair it with other calm, small fishes; avoid boisterous or fin-nipping tankmates that will out-compete it at feeding time. Offer small foods such as frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and a fine dry food, which it takes readily. It is an easy, undemanding fish for a well-planted tank of around 95 liters or more.

In the wild

Trichopsis vittata is widespread in Southeast Asia, living in still and slow-moving waters such as ponds, ditches, marshes and rice paddies thick with vegetation. The water is usually warm and soft to moderately hard. A densely planted tank with floating plants, gentle filtration and a dark substrate brings out its best colours and behaviour. Keep the temperature between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius and the pH from 6.0 to 7.5. Leave a warm air gap under the lid, since it breathes from the surface and is sensitive to cold, dry air.

Good to know

A member of the gourami family Osphronemidae, the croaking gourami reaches about 7 centimeters and is one of three closely related croaking species. Males build a bubble nest, sometimes under a broad leaf or at the surface, and guard the eggs and fry; breeding is of moderate difficulty. The fish is named for a genuine sound it produces: a series of croaks or purrs made by plucking specialised tendons in its pectoral fins, most often during courtship and confrontations.

Did you know

The croaking gourami really does croak. Both sexes make a rattling, purring noise using modified pectoral-fin tendons, and you can often hear it as two males square up to each other near the surface.