Moonlight gourami - Trichogaster microlepis

Scientific name: Trichogaster microlepis

Common name: Moonlight gourami

Family: Osphronemidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 13 cm (3.94 - 5.12 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 7

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 26 - 30 °C (78.8 - 86°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: East Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Moonlight gourami will accept all foods; try to vary their diet with treats of live and frozen meaty foods. These are a timid fish and will not compete with larger tank mates for a meal.

Origin

Moonlight gouramis originate from Thailand, Cambodia.

Sexing

Males will have a red to orange tinge on the pelvic fins and an extended dorsal fin. The females will have a more yellowy pelvic fin.

Breeding

As with all gouramis, these are bubble nest builders. To aid this floating plant should be added to the tank. The male will dance around the female under the nest and eventually wrap himself around her. Up to 2000 eggs will be laid; these will take 2-3 days to hatch. As the fry are very small, only small food particles should be offered to them like daphnia and rotifers.

Lifespan

Expected lifespan is 4 years.

Short description

Trichogaster microlepis does best in soft water conditions, regular water changes are a must to keep this Gourami in top form.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.