Family: Osphronemidae
Croaking Gourami — a Osphronemidae from Southeast Asia, mostly peaceful; slow, deliberate movers that dislike chaos. Reaches 3–4.4 cm; a pair bonds loosely; keep décor between rivals. 25–28 °C.
Trichopsis vittata is a Osphronemidae from Southeast Asia. In the wild it prefers still waters, rice paddies and slow streams; in the aquarium it stays mostly peaceful. Plan on 3–4.4 cm of adult fish at 25–28 °C. Related profiles: Trichopsis pumila, Trichopsis schalleri.
Difficulty: moderate. Mostly peaceful; slow, deliberate movers that dislike chaos. A pair bonds loosely; keep décor between rivals.
Set the heater to 25–28 °C and avoid swings. pH 6–7, GH 5–19 dGH suit it.
Full size is 3–4.4 cm. Minimum tank: 25 L, with open swimming space along its upper; surface-oriented habits.
Omnivore; flakes, small pellets and frozen foods. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Mostly peaceful; slow, deliberate movers that dislike chaos. Recommended tankmates: Peaceful mid-water schoolers — Add motion without menace. Avoid Fast, aggressive feeders — Starve it out at every meal.
Native to Southeast Asia, where it lives in still waters, rice paddies and slow streams. Still to very gentle water; Tolerates low oxygen; labyrinth breather.
It can jump when startled — keep the tank tightly covered, especially at night and during maintenance.
In the aquarium: surface bubble-nester with dedicated male guarding. Males larger with longer fins.