Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Banded gourami
Trichogaster fasciata
photo by Vierke, J.

Family:  Osphronemidae (Gouramies), subfamily: Trichogastrinae
Max. size:  12.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7.5; dH range: 4 - 15
Distribution:  Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and upper Myanmar. Widely transported around the world (Ref. 1739).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-14; Anal spines: 15-18; Anal soft rays: 14-19; Vertebrae: 27. Body elongate and strongly compressed. Mouth small, slightly protrusible; upper lip papillose, especially in old males. Preorbital serrate in young specimen. Color greenish with oblique orange or bluish bars descending downwards and backwards from the back to the anal fin. Vertical fins with alternating dark and pale spots or bars; the anal fin often with a red margin.
Biology:  Occurs in large rivers, estuaries, ditches, ponds (Ref. 4833) and lakes, generally preferring weedy environment (Ref. 41236). An air-breathing species (Ref. 118402).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 January 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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