Snakeskin Gourami
Snakeskin gourami is very long and slender, with a pair of thread-like pelvic fins. They have an iridescent silver sheen along the flanks, greenish-grey backs, deep rose-colored ventral surfaces, and red eyes. They grow to a length of up to 25 cm (10 inches). Maximum size is achieved within 6–8 months.
Snakeskin gourami is a carnivorous toothless fish, the adults feed on small insects and larvae such as flying ants or termites, mosquitoes, and other invertebrates. The young snakeskin gourami eats zooplankton (small floating animals such as shrimp), worms, and insects. Some common inhabitants in the aquarium are the Red-tailed black shark, White cloud mountain minnows, and the rosy red minnow.
The Snakeskin Gourami is best displayed in an aquarium of at least 120 liters (31 US gal; 26 imp gal) with broad, shallow tanks which allow plenty of swimming space. As they are prone to fin-nipping, the tank should be furnished with plants and driftwood spread across the substrate possibly with some areas of open water. Ideal plants would be Java Fern, Amazon Sword plants, and Vallisneria. In addition, the tank should have soft, slightly acidic water conditions with a pH of 6 to 7 and a hardness of 2 to 5°dH. It must also have good aeration for the fish to pump the oxygen through their system.
Snakeskin gourami is a labyrinth fish. They have a specialized organ called a labyrinth organ which allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen from outside of the water. This allows it to survive if there is not enough oxygen in the water. Snakeskin Gourami is very long and slender, with a pair of thread-like pelvic fins. They have an iridescent silver sheen along the flanks, greenish-grey backs, deep rose-colored ventral surfaces, and red eyes. The male has a distinctively shaped organ at the anal opening. The dorsal fin originates in front of the pelvic fins at the anterior margin, and is three-folded, with the central fold longer.
The snakeskin gourami can be found in South Asia from Pakistan to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. It is very popular among aquarium keepers for its beautiful colors. They are proficient jumpers, so be sure to keep your tank well covered. They are very active swimmers and need a lot of free space in the aquarium.
Global snakeskin gourami production
The global production of snakeskin gourami is concentrated in a few countries. The majority of production takes place in Indonesia, with other significant producers including Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in snakeskin gourami as a culinary delicacy and as a source of traditional medicine. As a result, prices for fish have been rising, and farmers are increasingly looking to cash in on this trend.
While the global production of snakeskin gourami is still relatively small, it is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years as demand for fish continues to increase. This growth will bring new challenges, including ensuring that farming practices are sustainable and that the rights of workers are protected.