Fish for romantics – does that exist? Occasionally! One of them is certainly the moonshine gourami, Trichogaster microlepis. Its popular name says it all. Although the animal is only silvery-white, its tiny scales give it a very peculiar appearance, as if wrapped in silk.
Color always means: communication with conspecifics and bright colors are very often associated with territorial claims in fish. This is no different with gourami. Sexually active males of other gourami species are very rich in contrast and/or brightly colored and react very aggressively to similarly colored conspecifics. Not so the moonshine gourami. It peacefully goes about its rounds, happily in the company of its own kind. Males and females of the maximum 15 cm long species are difficult to tell apart. However, experienced observers can see the delicate yellow shimmer in the anal fin of the males, which is missing in the females. If the light falls at a lateral angle, a delicate hint of a dot pattern can also be seen in the fins of the males.
The original home of the moonshine gourami is the catchment areas of the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers in Cambodia and Vietnam, but the species has been widely introduced or colonized as a food fish in tropical parts of Asia since ancient times. In the aquarium, the animals should always be kept in groups of five or more, otherwise they are shy. They are very peaceful towards all conceivable tankmates and will not damage plants. They will eat any common ornamental fish food of a suitable size and have no special requirements regarding the water composition. The water temperature should be in the range 22-30°C.
Moonshine gouramis are typical bubble nest builders with a father family. Spawn and larvae are cared for by the male until they swim free, after which the brood care ends.
For our customers: the species has code 469703 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
