Osphronemus laticlavius
| Osphronemus laticlavius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult Osphronemus laticlavius | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Genus: | Osphronemus |
| Species: | O. laticlavius |
| Binomial name | |
| Osphronemus laticlavius (T. R. Roberts, 1992) | |
Osphronemus laticlavius, common name Giant red tail gourami, is a species of gourami belonging to the family Osphronemidae.
Description
Adults of Osphronemus laticlavius can grow up to 50 centimetres (20 in). These fishes have 10 dorsal spines, 13-14 dorsal soft rays, 11-12 anal spines and 16 – 18 anal soft rays.[1] Body is massive, laterally compressed, with an almost oval shape. The head is snub-nosed, with prominent jaw. The pectoral fins are large and rounded, while the dorsal and anal fins are slightly elongated. Even the tail is rounded and the ventral fins are threadlike. At the root of the pectoral fins appears a black ocellus. Another larger black ocellus appears on the caudal peduncle. Adults have bright red fin edges with filamentous extensions. Body colour varies from gray-blue to gray-green to brown, darker on the back.[2] Females have duller colors. Like other species of the genus Osphronemus, juveniles and adults are quite different, as in juveniles the colors are less dramatic and the bright red fins develops only with age. [3]
Distribution
This species can be found in Malaysia and Indonesia, where it inhabits the slow waters of rivers, marshes and lakes. [1]
References
- Roberts, T.R., 1992. Systematic revision of the Southeast Asian anabantoid fish genus Osphronemus, with descriptions of two new species. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 2(4):351-360.