毛足鲈 · Thick-lipped Gourami

Overview

Peaceful, slow-moving Trichogaster labiosa benefits from generous shelter. An orange-gold “sunset” strain replaces the natural barred pattern, and its females can be nearly as colorful as males, making color alone a poor universal sexing rule.

Distribution & habitat

It is known from southern Myanmar, where shaded slow rivers and ponds contain thick vegetation and floating cover.

Aquarium setup

An aquarium around 74 by 30 by 30 cm is a useful starting size. Combine a dark substrate with dense planting and floating cover. Fish should always have retreats available, and filter outflow should be subdued.

Diet & feeding

It accepts a wide range of aquarium foods and particularly favors small live or frozen items. Bloodworms and water fleas are useful regular supplements.

Behaviour & compatibility

Groups raised together from youth often remain compatible, and peaceful small fishes or loaches can be suitable companions. Keep it separate from T. fasciata, with which it can hybridize readily.

Sexual dimorphism

Males tend to be larger and brighter, with slightly pointed dorsal and anal fins at maturity. Color differences can be much less obvious in gold strains.

Breeding

Use a separate breeding tank with approximately 15–20 cm of water, floating nest cover, fine-leaved female refuges, and gently running air-powered filtration. A close cover retains humid warmth. Condition the sexes apart, add the gravid female first, and introduce the male a few days later. He builds a large bubble nest and retrieves sinking eggs during repeated spawning embraces. Broods can number 500–1,000. Remove the female afterward, despite his relatively restrained behavior. Eggs hatch after 24–36 hours, when he can also be removed; free swimming follows two to three days later. Supply microscopic first foods for roughly a week, then nauplii, microworms, and finely powdered food.