Snakes ahhhhh

[619 Fish GOD]

Hi
Has anone kept snake skin gouriams?

I'd like sum proffiesalnal advice

 

[619 Fish GOD]

Anyone?

 

[sylvia]

I'm not an expert but I'll try and help anyway.

Snakeskin gouramies belong to the genus trichogaster - like the three-spot, pearl and moonlight. They get considerably bigger than any of these fish though. In the wild, 10-12" fish are seen regularly. In captivity, they can easily get to 8" though more is not uncommon. A tank of at least 30 gallons is reccomended for a single fish. I would avoid mixing them with other gouramies unless you have a pretty big tank. They are somwhat like three-spots temperament-wise though they are generaly less inclined to bully non-gourami species (though the large ones may be a threat to very small fish as they may be viewed as a quick snack). Sexing this fish is similar to other trichogaster species - the dorsal fin and also the anal fin is longer and more pointed in males. Females are deeper-bodied and wider when viewed from above. In contrast, males look more 'streamlined'. The long, thread-like ventral fins on males also often appear more red/orange (as with moonlights). They can be bred in a similar fashion to three-spots though a larger tank would be needed to accomodate the pair and they are more difficult to spawn. It is a bubblenest builder but, unlike most other gouramies in its genus, will not spend all its time in the upper layers and males will actualy set up a territory lower down in the tank (females aren't realy territorial). They do appreciate caves and plants. IME, they do have a taste for certain plans so choose carefuly. They are not picky eaters and are quite hardy.

 

[619 Fish GOD]

Thanks

 

[diburning]

would youl ike one?? I have one I don't want