Tag Archives: Trichopodus

Trichogaster leerii WILD – Borneo

30. October 2020

The pearl gourami (Trichogaster leerii, Trichopodus leerii) is one of the most popular aquarium fishes at all. It is probably not exaggerated if one assumes millions of individuals in aquariums all over the world. All these fish are bred ones. It is only little known that the pearl gourami belongs to the endangered species as a black water inhabitant in the wild, because the habitat is dwindling more and more. We have already succeeded in importing animals from southern Thailand (https://www.aquariumglaser.de/fischarchiv/trichogaster-leerii-wild/) and from Sumatra (Jambi), now also from Borneo.

We very much hope that interested enthusiasts will succeed in building up strains of this wonderful animal of known origin by the occasional import (a threat to the free-living stocks by such removals is excluded from a scientific point of view). This would be an active contribution to the protection of species. Already frequently, species or populations of small fishes could be saved from extinction by such hobbyist—based breedings. However, a possible return to nature may only be attempted with animals whose original origin is known.

For our customers: the fish have code 469513 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Trichogaster trichopterus „Golden Red Eye“

18. April 2019

The Spotted Gourami, Trichogaster trichopterus, is one of most widespread species of fish in Southeast Asia. Its range starts in the west at the burmese/thai border, it contents the Sunda islands and reaches in the East to China. Additionally the species has been introduced almost worldwide as a food fish in tropical climates.

Crossing of different natural populations leads very fast to cultivated forms. This effect is well known from other ornamental fish also, like Guppy or Angelfish. In these species the initially plan free crossing of specimens led to many cultivated forms, too.

The golden cultivated form of the Spotted Gourami is known for a long time already. It is part of the daily stock in any pet shop worldwide. But currently the breeders have tried to produce a better quality in this fish and this resulted in what we call „Golden Red Eye“, a sport that has brillant colours and a ruby-red eye.

For our customers: the animals have code 470022 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Trichogaster leerii Wild

30. June 2017

For the first time we obtained wild collected pearl gourami from Thailand. This is worth mentioning for several reasons. First, it is very ambigously discussed in the scientific literature wether the species occurs in Thailand at all; twice: the wild populations of the pearl gourami are declining terryfing fast, for the species is strictly adopted to blackwater (collecting the fish for or the trade has no impact on natural populations); and finally we have even good informations where the fish were collected. They originate from Narathiwat province near the city of Su-Magi Kolok. At this place usually the glass catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus) is collected.

Initially the new arrivals looked very similar to their bred cousins. But a closer look showed an interesting difference: in the wild females the back has almost not pearl-spots! Currently the fish are something larger than half-grown (6-8 cm).

For our customers: the fish have code 469513 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.