![Trichopodus Microlepis](https://fishy.wiki/img/p/en-default-large.jpg)
More info
Datasheet
Minimum Tank Size | 81 litres / 21.40 US gallons |
Maximum Size | 15.0cm / 5.91inches |
Temperature | 25°C / 77.00°F - 30°C / 86.00°F |
Hardness | 2-25ºdH |
pH | 6.0-7.5 |
Behaviour
Moonlight Gouramis are best kept with tank mates that are not small enough to be viewed as prey or too active for their timid nature. Suitable companions include other Trichogaster, Colisa, Botia, Corydoras, Barbs, Angelfish, and loricariids. Male Moonlight Gouramis can exhibit territorial behavior towards other males and gouramis.
Feeding and Diet
Being omnivorous, Moonlight Gouramis readily accept most commercially-prepared foods but should have their diet supplemented with live and frozen foods to ensure proper nutrition.
Reproduction & Dimorphism
Breeding Moonlight Gouramis can be challenging. They are bubble nesters, requiring a separate tank with dense planting and floating plants. The male will create a bubblenest, and upon spawning, may release up to 2000 eggs. Fry need careful attention, starting with feeding them infusoria multiple times daily and transitioning to newly hatched brine shrimp and powdered flake food once they are slightly larger.
Habitat and Distribution
In their natural habitat, Moonlight Gouramis reside in lowland ponds, bogs, and swamps with dense aquatic and marginal vegetation. They are native to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, with feral populations found in Singapore and Colombia. Wild specimens are scarce in the hobbyist trade, with most individuals being commercially bred in the Far East and Eastern Europe.
Aquarium Setup
To mimic their natural environment, a well-planted aquarium with open swimming spaces and gentle water flow is recommended for Moonlight Gouramis. Maintaining water conditions with a hardness of 2-25 dH, a pH range of 6.0-7.5, and a temperature between 25-30°C is crucial for their well-being.