The northern states of India are hardly researched in respect of the fishes. From the state of Manipur we currently received exceptionally colorful gouramis of the genus Colisa, which represent a species new to science. They are without doubt close relatives of the species Colisa fasciata, C. bejeus, and C. labiosa, but differ from all of them by the enlarged soft-rayed parts of the dorsal and the anal fin. Especially in males these fins are almost as big as in paradise fish (Macropodus).
The new Colisa are extraordinary beautiful due to the high amount of red in coloration. Again, the most brilliant red is found in the soft-rayed parts of dorsal and anal fin. The caudal fin also has a beautiful red coloration.
This new species of Colisa is more expensive than their well known relatives, but worth every coin of it. One must take care not to cross this species with other Colisa, as all Colisa can produce fertile hybrids. However, the hybrids never have the beauty of the pure species.
Like all species of striped gourami the new one displays a great variabilty in respect of the stripes on the flanks. The number and the form of these stripes is not species-specific in Colisa.
The new gouramis seem to be very hardy when kept in aquaria and are much easier to maintain than Colisa fasciata and C. bejeus. Keeping can be best compared with the species from Inle lake in Burma, which is known in the hobby as Colisa labiosa. The real C. labiosa is not present in the hobby and the Colisa from Inle lake also represent a scientifically undescribed species.
Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Indien / India |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 8-10 |
