Pearl gourami facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pearl gourami |
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The pearl gourami (scientific name: Trichopodus leerii) is a beautiful fish that belongs to the gourami family. It comes from the warm waters of Southeast Asia. This fish is known for its stunning patterns, which look like tiny pearls all over its body.
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What Does It Look Like?
The pearl gourami can grow to be about 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long. Its body is a mix of brownish and silver colours. It has a special pattern that looks like many small pearls. A clear black line runs from its head and gets thinner as it reaches the tail fin. Because of its unique look, people sometimes call it the lace gourami or the mosaic gourami.
Differences Between Males and Females
Just like many other gouramis, male pearl gouramis are usually bigger and have brighter colours than females. Males have a bright orange colour around their throat. This colour becomes even brighter when it's time for them to find a mate. This helps them attract females.
Males also have a bit of an orange tint in their fins, except for their tail fin. Their fins are longer, and their dorsal fin (the fin on their back) is more pointed. The rays on their anal fin (the fin on their belly) are also longer.
Where Does It Live?
The pearl gourami is found naturally in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In Indonesia, you can find them on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They live in lowland swamps where the water is a bit acidic.
How It Got Its Name
The pearl gourami, Trichopodus leerii, was first described in 1852. It was named by a Dutch medical doctor and ichthyologist named Pieter Bleeker. He first called it Trichopus leerii.
The fish's specific name, leerii, was given to honour Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. van Leer. He was a medical doctor and a friend of Bleeker's. Van Leer collected the first fish of this type in Palembang, a city on the island of Sumatra.
