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Snakeskin gourami

Trichopodus pectoralis

FreshwaterFish

Snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–86°F
22–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
61 gal
230 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam

Overview

The snakeskin gourami is a large but genuinely peaceful gourami that can be kept as a pair or a group and rarely troubles tankmates. It cruises the middle water and, being big and mild-mannered, makes a good companion for other sizeable, calm community fish. It uses its long pelvic fins to feel around plants and decor. Feed a varied diet of pellet or flake, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus plenty of vegetable matter, as it grazes on soft plant growth and algae. Because it grows large, give a group a roomy tank of at least 230 liters.

In the wild

Trichopodus pectoralis is native to the lowlands of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, in still and slow waters such as swamps, canals, ponds and flooded fields. It is a warmth-loving fish, so keep the temperature between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius and the pH from 6.0 to 7.5. A large, planted tank with floating cover, gentle flow and a soft substrate suits it. As a labyrinth fish it breathes at the surface, so leave a warm, humid gap beneath the lid and keep the current calm.

Good to know

A member of the gourami family Osphronemidae, the snakeskin gourami reaches about 25 centimeters and is named for the faint, snakeskin-like diagonal barring along its silvery-green flanks. Males build a bubble nest and guard the eggs and fry; breeding is rated hard mostly because of the space needed and the many tiny fry to raise. It is one of the most farmed food gouramis in Southeast Asia, valued for its size and easygoing nature.

Did you know

The snakeskin gourami is one of the most important farmed food fish in Southeast Asia, raised in huge numbers in rice fields and ponds. Its faint diagonal barring and reticulated pattern give the fish both its common name and its understated looks.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Snakeskin gourami is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Snakeskin gourami need?

A Snakeskin gourami needs at least 61 gal (230 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Snakeskin gourami need?

A Snakeskin gourami is comfortable at 72–86°F (22–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a Snakeskin gourami get?

An adult Snakeskin gourami reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

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