Snakeskin gourami

Quick facts

Adult size

22 cm, 300 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

240 to 365 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 6 years

Diet

omnivore

Temperature class

warm-water

Difficulty

beginner

Water parameters

Temperature range

22–30°C (optimum 27°C)

pH

6 to 8

Hardness

2 to 25 dGH

Minimum tank

200 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

32% target

Daily feed (warm water)

2.00% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.70% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

30 g per litre of system water

A 300g adult eats about 6.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 60 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

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 classification

tropical (needs warm water year-round)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

10 to 13 (winter low around -1°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Required for year-round operation

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

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.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else