Trichopodus

The pearl gourami, Trichopodus leerii, is a labyrinth fish from Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra, where it inhabits lowland swamps. One of the most peaceful gouramis, it is hardy and fairly long-lived, surviving 8 years or more in the aquarium. Wild fish are rare in the hobby, and most on sale are mass-produced in the Far East and Eastern Europe.

The moonlight gourami, Trichopodus microlepis, is a labyrinth fish from Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. It inhabits lowland ponds, bogs and swamps where vegetation grows densely, and its modified ventral fins are considerably longer than in other gouramis. It is often used as a food fish in its native countries, and most fish on sale are mass-produced.

The snakeskin gourami, Trichopodus pectoralis, is a large labyrinth fish from the Mekong and Chao Phraya drainages of Indochina and Myanmar. Growing to 30 cm, it is farmed as a food fish, and feral populations are established in several countries as a result. A very peaceful species for the larger community tank, it can produce 'cracking' noises during breeding or territorial exchanges.

The three-spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus, is a labyrinth fish found mostly in the Mekong basin of Southeast Asia and southern China. The natural form is blue-grey with three spots, but gold, opaline, cosby, marbled and silver forms bred for the trade are seen far more often. One of the hardiest fish in the trade, it is recommended for community tanks with reservations, since some individuals become very spiteful as they mature.