Banded gourami
Small tropical air-breathing fish with striped patterns
This small perch lives in Asian waters and breathes air using a labyrinth organ. It serves as both a local food source and a popular aquarium export due to its hardy nature and bright colours.
- Breathes air using a labyrinth organ
- Males build bubble nests for eggs
- Exported globally for aquarium trade
- Reaches maturity at one year old
- Known as kholisha in Bangladesh
What it is
This tropical fish belongs to the labyrinth perch group. Its body is long and flattened from side to side, featuring a small mouth that can extend slightly. The skin shows a greenish base with diagonal bars in orange or blue running from the back down toward the lower fin. Young individuals have serrated edges near the eye. It breathes atmospheric air using special chambers above the gills, which contain complex labyrinthine structures.
Where it lives
Native populations inhabit freshwater and brackish zones across South and Southeast Asia. Records include Bangladesh, eastern and northeastern India, Nepal, northern Myanmar, China and Pakistan. The fish prefers vegetated environments such as rice paddies, ditches, lakes, large rivers and estuaries. It lives near the bottom and in mid-water levels. Natural stocks are decreasing in these traditional habitats due to human pressures.
How it lives
The species feeds on a mixed diet, consuming live prey, frozen items and dry flakes. Its intestine is long and coiled to process this omnivorous intake. Teeth within the mouth are small and weak. Males display brighter colours than females and develop sharper points on their dorsal and anal fins as they mature. The fish is generally shy but robust, adapting well to community tanks. It avoids open water, staying close to weeds for cover.
Breeding and life cycle
Sexual maturity arrives at one year of age. The annual cycle divides into pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning phases, with reproduction occurring between April and August. Males construct bubble nests at the surface. Fertilization happens externally in the water. Adults live for about four years. Breeders distinguish sexes by the more pronounced upper lip and pointed rear fins of the male.
Fish and people
Locals value this fish for its flavour and nutritional content. In Bangladesh it is called kholisha, while Indian regions use names like khosti or kungee. Before becoming an aquarium staple, it was a common food item alongside other gouramis. The ornamental trade now exports it globally to markets in Germany, Japan, the US and across Asia. Its distinctive striping and hardiness make it a favourite for home tanks.
Status and threats
Wild populations are declining rapidly. Anthropogenic stressors threaten the natural resources that once supported abundant numbers in pools and marshes. The species faces pressure from habitat loss and environmental changes in its native range. Conservation efforts are needed to protect remaining stocks in rivers and wetlands.
Questions people ask about Banded gourami
Why is it called a labyrinth fish?
It possesses supra-branchial chambers with a labyrinthine organ. This structure allows the fish to extract oxygen directly from the air, helping it survive in low-oxygen water.
How can you tell males from females?
Males are more colourful and have pointed dorsal and anal fins. They also feature a more pronounced upper lip compared to the smoother appearance of females.
What does this fish eat in captivity?
It is omnivorous and accepts various foods. Keepers can provide live prey, frozen options, or standard flake feeds to meet its dietary needs.
Good reading and sources
- Trichogaster fasciata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Trichogaster fasciata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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