Snakeskin gourami
Snakeskin gourami | |
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Depiction of an individual from the Illustrated collection of fishes from Asia, Africa and Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Anabantiformes |
Family: | Osphronemidae |
Genus: | Trichopodus |
Species: | T. pectoralis
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Binomial name | |
Trichopodus pectoralis Regan, 1910
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Synonyms | |
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The snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis) is a species of gourami native to Southeast Asia.[2] Prior to the merging of Belontidae to the family Osphronemidae, the snakeskin gourami was regarded as the largest member of its family. It is still the largest species in its genus and subfamily.
Etymology
The name Trichopodus comes from the Ancient Greek words θρίξ (thríx) which means hair and πούς (poús) which means foot while pectoralis comes from the Latin words pectus which means "chest" and ālis which means "of or pertaining to", refers to the large pectoral fins of the species.[3]
Physical characteristics
The snakeskin gourami is an elongated, moderately compressed fish with a small dorsal fin. Its anal fin is nearly the length of the body and the pelvic fins are long and thread-like. The back is
This species can grow up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL in length though most only reach about 15 centimetres (5.9 in).[2][4]
Distribution and habitat
They are common in the
Snakeskin gourami are found in rice paddies, shallow ponds, and swamps. They are found in shallow, sluggish, or standing water habitats with a lot of aquatic vegetation. It also occurs in flooded forests of the lower Mekong, and gradually moves back to rivers as floodwaters recede.[2]
Ecology
Snakeskin gourami generally feeds on aquatic insects and other small living organisms in its habitat.
Relationship to humans
Compared to other gourami species, the snakeskin gourami is less frequently sold as aquarium fish but is more commonly used as food fish in their native lands. The snakeskin gourami is a highly economical species that is captured and cultured for food and for export for the aquarium trade.
Famous areas for snakeskin gourami farming in Thailand are
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Fried snakeskin gourami from Thailand
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Yam pla salit, a Thai salad made with deep-fried, sun-dried snakeskin gourami
In the aquarium
Trichopodus pectoralis are a hardy species recommended for a beginner in the
A snakeskin gourami is a bottom and middle tank level dweller. It requires at least a 36inches (91 cm) length aquarium. A normal specimen should be kept in at least a 36-inches (91 cm) or 40gallon (151liter) tank to help them grow and thrive in a regular conditions, as a minimum tank size. The recommended
Snakeskin gouramies, being
Breeding snakeskin gourami is not difficult. They will breed when they reach 5 inches (12.5 cm) length. It is the most prolific among all the gourami species. There can be as many as 5,000 fry from a single spawning period. The males are relatively nonaggressive, even at spawning times, which is unlike other labyrinth fishes.
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Trichopodus pectoralis" in FishBase. February 2014 version.
- ^ "Trichogaster pectoralis".
- ^ *Butler, Rhett Ayers, Tropical Freshwater Aquarium Fish (TFAF), 1995 and Mongabay.com Website, 2002
- ^ Agbayani, Eli (2006-12-01). "Introductions of Trichogaster pectoralis". Retrieved 2007-05-19.
- ^ "National Aquaculture Sector Overview - Thailand". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- ^ "ทำไม "ปลาสลิด" ไม่มีหัว". Manager Daily (in Thai). 2013-06-06.
- ^ ISBN 0-87666-543-1.
Further reading
- Media related to Trichopodus pectoralis at Wikimedia Commons
- "Species Fact Sheet". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- Robison, Henry Welborn (1971). "An Ethological Study of the Snakeskin Gourami, Trichogaster pectoralis, with Comments on Phylogenetic Relationships Among Species of Trichogaster (Pisces, Belontiidae)".
- Vromant, N.; Duong, L. T.; Ollevier, F. (2002). "Effect of fish on the yield and yield components of rice in integrated concurrent rice–fish systems". Journal of Agricultural Science. 138: 63–71. S2CID 85772052.