Moonlight Gourami (Trichopodus microlepis)
| Moonlight Gourami Trichopodus microlepis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Moonlight Gourami |
| Name Lat. | Trichopodus microlepis |
| Synonym | Trichogaster microlepis |
| Family | Gouramies |
| Family lat. | Osphronemidae |
| Order | Labyrinth Fishes |
| Order lat. | Anabantiformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Ponds, floodplains |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Bubble nest builder |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 4-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 15 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 2-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 250 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 6" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 36-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Moon Threadfish is the Mekong River system in Cambodia and Vietnam, and the Chao Phraya Basin in Thailand. There they live in waters with dense vegetation, such as ponds, drainage canals and rice fields, as well as in floodplains.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting with many hiding places (stones, roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (sea almond leaves) and slightly dim light (floating plants) is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They require mainly animal food, supplemented with algae. The food supply consists of live food, such as daphnia, cyclops, tubifex, artemia and mosquito larvae, which are also eaten in frozen form without any problems, plus commercially available, frozen special food mixtures, supplemented with algae leaves and high-quality dry food (flakes, granules) with high vegetable content (e.g. spirulina, kelp)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day, which are eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
These peaceful fish should be kept in pairs and do well in a community tank with not too lively and peaceful fish. During the spawning season males occasionally behave territorially among themselves
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The ventral fin filaments, which can grow up to 20 cm long, are orange to red in the male and yellow in the female.
Reproduction and breeding
The male builds a loose foam nest, often on the underside of large water plant leaves, and also takes care of the brood. The eggs ejected during the numerous matings (entwinements) rise to the water surface, are collected by the male and introduced into the nest. The larvae hatch after 20-30 hours and swim freely after only 4-5 days.
The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey here.
Important
They have an additional respiratory organ, the so-called labyrinth (suprabranchial organ) with which they breathe atmospheric air and can suffocate if this is not possible. The air temperature in the breathing area must not be below the water temperature!
The thread-like extended ventral fins serve the chemical perception (taste stimuli)
In the Southeast Asian region (e.g. Myanmar) they are bred in ponds as food fish.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF