
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3
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Order : Perciformes
Family : OSPHRONEMIDAE
Species : Trichopodus trichopterus
Maximum Length : 15 cm
The Three-spot Gouramy is
a handsome fish much loved by aquarists. In its native habitat it survives
in a variety of waters including slow forest stream, freshwater swamps and
lakes.
It is identified by the
arrangement of spots - one at the base of the tail, another in mid-flank,
and the third being the eye. The fins are attractively patterned with lines
and speckles, particularly the tail fin. The mouth is small, and it feeds on
plankton, tiny insects and the larvae of crustaceans.
The species is widely
distributed in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Indochina, Peninsular
Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and the Philippines.
Figs 1 and 2 : Two examples in a rural pond and
open-country stream, Singapore.
Fig 3 : A Three-spot Gouramy in a stream
issuing from a freshwater swamp in Peninsular
Malaysia.
References :
Lim, K.P. and Ng, K.L. 1990. A Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of
Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.
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