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Snakeskin GouramiSiamese gouramiFamily: Osphronemidae Trichogaster pectoralisLatest Reader Comment - See More I have a 2 foot long snakeskin gourami, about 50 pounds, very large. He eats pellets, goldfish, white mice, pretty much anything. He also lives with a wolfish about... (more) NO FISHIN AROUND The Snakeskin Gourami is known as the most peaceful and the most prolific of all the gourami species!Snakeskin Gourami Contents If you want to keep or breed the Snakeskin Gourami make sure you have a good sized aquarium. Not only does this fish get quite large in captivity, up to 8" (20 cm), but its spawns are also unusually large. There can be as many as 5,000 fry from a single spawning period. These are hardy fish but even better than that they are an exceptionally peaceful gourami, making them an excellent candidate for a community aquarium. Though not necessarily the most beautiful gourami they do have a rather striking appearance. Juveniles are especially notable, having strong zig-zag lines from the eye to the base of the tail. Some labyrinth fish have voices!...and the Snakeskin Gourami is no exception. The fish has a kind of vocalization that sounds like croaking, or growling, or cracking tones. This is generally most pronounced during breeding or with territorial type behavior, but whether it has any special function is unknown. Snakeskin Gourami are considered good to eat and are used as a food fish in areas they are native to.For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Snakeskin Gourami was described by Regan in 1910. It is found in the tropical far east; Thailand and Cambodia to southern Viet Nam, Malaysia, Mekong basin in Laos, Malakka, and the Chao Phraya basin. The inhabit slowly flowing and standing waters that have dense vegetation. It is used as a food fish in the countries of its origin and it has been introduced in other areas including Sri lanka as a food fish. At least one country now reports it as having and adverse ecological impact.
- Scientific Name: Trichogaster pectoralis
- Social Grouping: Groups - Can be kept singly, in pairs, or groups. If kept in a group make sure there are plenty of hiding places to keep one or more of the individuals from being bullied.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The body of the Snakeskin Gourami is somewhat compressed and is elongated. This fish has long pectoral fins, from which its scientific name 'pectoralis' is derived. The male's dorsal fin also becomes a longer flowing pennant while the female's dorsal fin is rounded. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. The body color is a light yellowish brown. There is a broken dark line running horizontally mid body and numerous dark diagonal stripes, though they are not always distinct. Juveniles are perhaps the most striking, having strong zig-zag lines from the eye to the base of the tail. This patterning fades away as the fish matures. This fish has a labyrinth organ, a part of the fish which allows it to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream.
- Maximum Size: 8.0 inches (20.32 cm) - Snakeskin Gourami generally grow to a length of 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) in captivity, but have been reported to reach 10 inches (25.4 cm) in their native habitat. They will breed at 5 inches (12.5 cm).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Since they are omnivores, the Snakeskin Gourami will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. A quality flake or pellet food makes a good base to the diet. This can be supplemented with proteins such as white worms, blood worms, brine shrimp, or any other suitable substitute. In the wild a good portion of their diet is green foods. You can offer vegetable pellets and fresh vegetables such as blanched lettuce. This fish will not eat fry of any sort, nor even snails.
These are extremely hardy fish but because they eat a lot, water quality must be maintained. Although the labyrinth organ allows the fish to survive in oxygen depleted water, it is a common misconception that this makes water changes unnecessary. This is hardly the case as these fish will suffer the same tissue damage from built up toxins as any other fish. Regular water changes are a must with 25% weekly being recommended.
The tank should be decorated in a way which allows both the dominant and quieter personality type fish to live happily. This means the construction of a few hiding places and some dense plant cover. This species appreciates the cover of floating plants. While juveniles can be easily housed in a 15 - 20 gallon aquarium, adults do better with at least 35 gallons.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 25 gal (95 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 86.0° F (22.2 - 30.0° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
- Range ph: 6.0-8.3
- Hardness Range: 2 - 30 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Weak - This fish will be bothered by a strong current in the tank, especially if the tank is small.
- Water Region: All - These fish will swim in all areas, but primarily in the middle and top portions of the aquarium
The Snakeskin Gouramis are the most peaceful of all gouramis. Even though they get quite large they are an excellent community fish. They are so unassuming that they won't eat their offspring when fry, nor will they eat the fry of any other fish. But because they are quite timid, they need to be housed with other non-aggressive fish.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
The male is slimmer than the female and has a longer an more pointed dorsal fin. The female is also slightly less colorful. 
Like most fish in this family, the Snakeskin Gourami are bubble nest builders. Their nests are generally small and they build them under plants or pieces of vegetation. Once they have spawned, theSnakeskin Gourami have no further interest in the eggs. They won't even collect the eggs that didn't make it into the nest and place them there, as other gouramis will do. Their eggs as well as the fry, are lighter than water and float to the top. See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Propagation: Easy
The Snakeskin Gourami is available from time to time. Specimens start at about $4.00 USD.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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