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Trichogaster pectoralis, Regan, 1910

Origin: Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia; Malakka, in slowly flowing and standing waters. The fish has been introduced in Sri lanka as a food fish.

Etymology: pectoralis; refers to the large pectoral fins.

Synonyms:Trichopodus pectoralis, Regan, 1909, Trichogaster pectoralis, Smith, 1933, Osphromenus trichopterus var. catoris.

First European import:Germany, 1896, by J. F. G. Umlauff.

Description:See pictures.

Care: Hardy fish, very indifferent to watervalues, require a large planted tank with dark soil and not to much current to bring out the colors. Because of it's size, the fish are rarely kept. The fish eat a lot, and pollute a lot, so frequent waterchanges combined with decent filtration is a requirement.

Temperature:24-30 degrees.

Feeding: All food they can master.

Size:Up to 20 cm

pH: 6.0-8.0

Breeding:See also T. leeri. T. pectoralis build a relatively small bubblenest, 6-8 cm, and uses plant parts to fortify it. Up to 5000 eggs, after spawning no parental care was observed by Richter, the male didn't even collect the eggs to place them in the nest. The eggs will hatch in 1.5 day, and be free swimming after another 3 days. The parents do not eat the fry, so there is no need to remove them. If frequent waterchanges are carried out, and the fry are well fed, they can grow up to 5 cm in 8 weeks.

Sexual dimorphism:Male has a pointy dorsal fin and is a bit more colorful.

Prices:Netherlands, 7€.

Additional:The fish is known under many local names, ikan spat, pla salid, pla bai mai, and is often used for food in the countries of origin.

Picture references: All Pictures: E. Naus

References:Richter, H. J. (1979): Das Buch der Labyrinthfische. Verlag Neumann-Neudamm, Melsungen, Germany.Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)

Linke, H.(1980): Labyrinthfische - Farbe im Aquarium. Tetra Verlag, Melle, Germany.

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