{"product_id":"opaline-gourami-trichopodus-trichopterus","title":"Opaline Gourami | Trichopodus trichopterus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Opaline Gourami is a beautiful marbled-blue form of the Three-spot Gourami, swirled in powder and cobalt blue. A hardy, characterful labyrinth fish, it reaches around 15 cm and makes a lovely larger community centrepiece. As a labyrinth fish it breathes air at the surface, so a lid and calm water are both important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Three-spot Gourami is widespread across Southeast Asia, including the Mekong basin, in marshes, swamps, canals, ponds and slow rivers. These are warm, still, heavily vegetated waters, often low in oxygen – which is why the fish evolved to gulp air from the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Opaline is a selectively bred marbled form, its body swirled in shades of blue that replace the two body spots of the wild \"three-spot\" fish (the eye counting as the third). It reaches around 15 cm, with males showing a longer, more pointed dorsal fin than the rounder-finned females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and easygoing, though males can become territorial with age and towards other gouramis, and the occasional individual is bold. It mixes well with medium-sized community fish but is best not crowded with lookalike gouramis. Keep just one male in smaller tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn unfussy omnivore. It takes quality flake and pellets readily and enjoys live and frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, along with some vegetable matter and algae-based food. A varied diet keeps it in good colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the hardiest aquarium fish, adapting to a wide range of water conditions. Provide a medium-to-large planted tank of at least 130 litres with calm water, some surface cover and a secure lid – the labyrinth organ lets it breathe air, so keeping the tank covered and the room warm protects it. Gentle filtration suits it best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bubblenest builder. The male builds a floating nest, often among surface plants, spawns with the female beneath it, then guards the eggs and fry alone. A shallow, warm, calm tank with plenty of floating plants gives the best results, and the male can be rough, so remove the female after spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrichopodus trichopterus (formerly Trichogaster trichopterus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpaline Gourami (marbled Three-spot \/ Blue Gourami)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (including the Mekong basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally peaceful; males territorial with age\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e130 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore – flake, pellets, live and frozen foods, some vegetable matter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium-to-large planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes – appreciates planting, including floating plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, medium-sized community fish such as larger tetras, rasboras, corydoras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish and other calm species that won't nip its trailing feelers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers such as tiger barbs, very small fish that may be eaten, aggressive cichlids, and multiple male gouramis or lookalikes in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232838992163,"sku":"AA1601-S","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232839024931,"sku":"AA1601","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232839057699,"sku":"AA1601-L","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/opaline-gourami-trichopodus-43091540377891-lv.webp?v=1790307471","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/opaline-gourami-trichopodus-trichopterus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}