The Croaking Gourami (Trichopsis vittata) is a small, peaceful freshwater labyrinth fish from Southeast Asia. It is famous for its unique ability to produce audible "croaking" or "grunting" noises by rapidly vibrating its pectoral fin tendons.
Key Characteristics
Vocalisations: Both sexes produce sounds, primarily during courtship or territorial displays between males. The sounds are often loud enough to be heard outside the aquarium.
Labyrinth Organ: Like all gouramis, they possess a specialized organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, enabling them to survive in low-oxygen environments like rice paddies and stagnant ditches.
Appearance: They have an elongated body, typically silvery-brown to olive-green, with 2–4 dark horizontal stripes and iridescent blue or green spangles on their sides.
Size: They usually reach an average length of 5–7 cm (2–2.8 inches).
Aquarium Care & Setup
To thrive in a home aquarium, Croaking Gouramis require a environment that mimics their slow-moving, heavily vegetated natural habitats:
Tank Size: A minimum of 40–60 litres is recommended for a small group.
Environment: Densely planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots (driftwood, caves) and floating plants are essential for their security.
Water Conditions:
Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F).
pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
Flow: Gentle water movement is preferred; air-powered sponge filters are ideal.
Diet: They are omnivorous micropredators. Provide a variety of high-quality flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
Compatibility
Ideal Tank Mates: Peaceful nano fish such as Neon Tetras, Rasboras, and small Corydoras.
Avoid: Large, aggressive, or boisterous fish (like large Cichlids) and fin-nippers. Male Betta fish are known to sometimes target them and should generally be avoided.
Breeding
They are bubble-nesters. The male builds a small nest of air bubbles and mucus under a leaf or floating plant. After a complex courtship dance and spawning "embrace," the male guards the eggs and fry until they are free-swimming.
SKU: RBM
