The snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis) is the largest and most peaceful species of gourami. The animals can become 20-25 cm long and are therefore in their homeland Southeast Asia also estimated food fish. However, we prefer to enjoy their calm nature and beautiful coloration. For years there has been a dispute about the correct genus name of the gourami. One camp of professional fishologists insists that, according to strict interpretation of the rules of naming, an old error from 1923 must not be maintained and all gourami, which were previously called Trichogaster, must now be called Trichopodus, while the genus name Trichogaster is correctly assigned to the species, which were previously called Colisa.
Another camp – that of the pragmatists – on the other hand, says that a easy-minded name change for economically important fishes such as the gouramis cannot be justified after 100 years. And this is only because of an unnecessary, rigid application of rules that were made only to avoid confusion and to achieve the greatest possible stability of naming. These rules explicitly allow for exceptions – and in the case of gouramis, an exception is highly desirable.
This academic dispute is far from settled and there is no decision in sight in the near future. However, it is undisputed that the snakeskin gourami is a beautiful aquarium fish – no matter what you call it! We have the fish regularly in our stock, usually we get them from Vietnam. Males and females can only be distinguished with some certainty from a length of around 7-9 cm. The males have a broader, elongated dorsal fin, where, similar to the Pearl Gourami (T. leerii), the fin rays are elongated. Depending on the mood, the otherwise prominent longitudinal stripe may become completely invisible. This is not a sex characteristic.
For our customers: the animals have code 469733 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer
