Photo: Haplochromis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Thick-lipped gourami
Trichogaster labiosa
10 cm
Adult size
80 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
8 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Trichogaster
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
Despite being easy and peaceful, this thick-lipped gourami is not very popular, although it is imported regularly. There is a golden “sunset” form, selected for the trade, in which the bands are replaced by orange colouring; the female is almost as colourful as the male.
- Scientific name
- Trichogaster labiosa Day, 1877
- Classification
- Anabantiformes › Osphronemidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Southern Myanmar; spread around the world by the aquarium trade
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in slow, shaded rivers and pools, especially in areas rich in floating vegetation. It breathes air at the surface.
Behaviour
One of the best gouramis for a community tank, far better suited than the dwarf gourami: a group bought young generally lives in peace all its life. It lives with Danio, Rasbora, small barbs, loaches and other peaceful anabantoids, but not with the banded gourami (hybridisation). Undemanding, it loves small live or frozen prey.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth