Snakeskin gourami
Trichopodus pectoralis
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 200 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 32% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 2.00% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.70% of body weight
- Max density
- 30 g per litre
A 300 g adult eats about 6.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~60 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | check local regulations | Hobby trade legal in most US states; food aquaculture registration may apply verified 2026-05-13 |
| Northern Territory | check local regulations | Tropical Australia may permit; cooler states do not verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to freshwater marshes, swamps, floodplains, and slow rivers across mainland Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and the Malay Peninsula. The species (Trichopodus pectoralis) is a medium-sized labyrinth fish (air-breather) reaching 20–25 cm and 200–400 g. The common name refers to the snake-like scale pattern on the body. Snakeskin gourami is one of the most important aquaculture species in Thailand and Cambodia, where it's cultured in extensive ponds, rice paddies, and integrated farming systems. The flesh is firm, mild, and relatively boneless for its size. In Cambodia, dried snakeskin gourami (trey phdao) is a staple protein source in rural areas. The species has been introduced to aquaculture in tropical Africa, South Asia, and Indonesia.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- tropical (needs warm water year-round)
- USDA zones
- 10–13 (winter low around -1°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- yes
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A warm-water food fish for tropical aquaponics in Southeast Asian contexts where the species is culturally valued and commercially established. Temperature range: 22–32°C, optimal at 26–30°C. Growth: 200–400 g in 8-12 months on commercial pellet (25-32% protein) or in fertilized ponds with natural food supplementation (algae, zooplankton, aquatic plants, detritus). FCR on pellet is 1.5-2.5; in extensive culture systems with natural food, effective feed cost per kilogram of fish is lower because the gourami grazes on pond biota that other species wouldn't consume. Snakeskin gourami are herbivorous to omnivorous, eating algae, aquatic macrophytes, insects, and decaying organic matter in addition to pellet feed. This broad diet makes them efficient in integrated aquaponics where plant waste supplements the commercial feed. The labyrinth organ (air-breathing apparatus) means they tolerate dissolved oxygen levels as low as 1 mg/L, providing resilience during equipment failures or power outages. Stocking density: 15-25 g/L. Water quality tolerance is broad: pH 5.5-8.5, wide temperature and hardness ranges. The species breeds readily in captivity; males build bubble nests at the surface and guard eggs and fry. Fingerlings are widely available from hatcheries across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam at very low cost. Not commonly cultured outside tropical Asia. For Southeast Asian operators, snakeskin gourami is a practical, affordable, and culturally appropriate food fish for integrated aquaponics.