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Shipping Allowed?
| Tasmania |
NO |
| Western Australia |
NO |
| Northern Territory |
NO |
| All Other States |
YES |
About the Snakeskin Gourami
The Snakeskin Gourami is one of the largest and most peaceful gourami species, admired for its beautiful snakeskin-like pattern and calm temperament. Native to the slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and rice paddies of Southeast Asia, this elegant fish displays a silver to olive body overlaid with intricate dark reticulated markings, giving it its distinctive common name.
Despite its impressive adult size, the Snakeskin Gourami is a gentle giant that mixes well with other peaceful fish of a similar size. They are ideal for spacious community aquariums featuring driftwood, live plants, and open swimming areas. Like other gouramis, they possess a labyrinth organ, allowing them to breathe atmospheric oxygen when necessary.
These hardy fish are excellent for aquarists looking for a larger feature species. They readily accept quality pellets, flakes, frozen foods, fresh vegetables, and live foods. With proper care, Snakeskin Gouramis become confident, interactive fish that often recognise their owners and eagerly greet them at feeding time.
Quick Care Guide
Scientific Name
Trichopodus pectoralis
Common Name
Snakeskin Gourami
Origin
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia
Adult Size
20–25 cm
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size
250 Litres
Temperature
24–30°C
pH
6.0–8.0
Water Hardness
5–20 dGH
Difficulty
Beginner
Lifespan
6–8 Years
Suitable For
Large peaceful community aquariums
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Snakeskin Gouramis aggressive?
No. They are one of the most peaceful large gourami species and are generally excellent community fish.
How large do Snakeskin Gouramis grow?
Adult Snakeskin Gouramis typically reach between 20 and 25 cm, requiring a spacious aquarium.
What do Snakeskin Gouramis eat?
They readily accept quality pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, vegetables, algae-based foods, and occasional live foods.
Can Snakeskin Gouramis live with other Gouramis?
Yes, provided the aquarium is large enough. Avoid keeping multiple dominant males in smaller tanks.
Do Snakeskin Gouramis need to breathe air?
Yes. Like all gouramis, they possess a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen, so occasional trips to the surface are completely normal.
Common Mistakes
Keeping them in aquariums that are too small
Snakeskin Gouramis require plenty of swimming space due to their large adult size.
Strong water flow
They naturally inhabit slow-moving waterways and prefer gentle filtration.
Housing with aggressive fish
Avoid aggressive cichlids or fin-nipping species that may stress these peaceful fish.
Not providing surface access
Always leave access to the water surface so they can breathe atmospheric air.
Feeding an unbalanced diet
A varied diet including vegetable matter and protein-rich foods promotes excellent health and colouration.
