Trichogaster microlepis (Gourami moon)

The dorsal fin, short at the base, is underdeveloped. The basic coloring is uniformly silver light blue, and all the fins are impregnated with the same shade. Pelvic fins resemble long antennas. They reach the end of the caudal fin. In healthy adults Iris is red.

Trichogaster Microlepis fish is a tropical fish commonly called dwarf gourami or pearl gourami. It is a small fish, in general it measures about 5 centimeters long once adult. The pearl gourami has a slim and elongated body, with long and fine ventral and pectoral fins. Its color varies depending on the species and can be gray, green, blue, red, black or even marbled. The pearl gourami is often recognizable by its white or yellow spots which give it the appearance of pearls on the body.

The pearl gourami is native to the fresh and shallow waters of Southeast Asia, mainly India, Nepal and Bangladesh. He generally lives in rivers, lakes and ponds, where he can find lush vegetation and shaded places to hide. The pearl gourami is a peaceful and gregarious fish, so it is often kept in groups in aquariums.

The pearl gourami is omnivorous, it feeds on small insects, molluscs, crustaceans, plankton and plants. In an aquarium, it is recommended to give it a balanced diet composed of pellets for fish, living food such as vase and artemias, and lettuce leaves or fresh spinach.

Pearl gourami is an easy -to -keep fish in aquarium, it does not need too specific living conditions and is suitable for beginners in aquarophilia. However, it is important to make sure to maintain clean and well oxygenated water, regularly changing part of the water and using a filter to eliminate waste and impurities. Pearl gourami is also sensitive to diseases, it is therefore important to monitor your state of health and protect it from common diseases such as bacterial infections or parasites.

The pearl gourami is a very appreciated fish for its beauty and its peaceful personality. Its bright color and stains give it an elegant and attractive appearance, while its calm and gregarious behavior make it an ideal companion for other aquarium fish.

The fins are orange red in the male, and colorless in the female.

It builds a very wide and low nest of bubbles. The laying takes place in the same way as the other gouramis.