Moonlight Gouramis. (Trichogaster microlepis)

Moonlight Gouramis. (Trichogaster microlepis)
This labbbyrinth fish is native to the still or slow moving waters of Thailand and central Cambodia. The Trichogaster microlepis has a special organ that gives it the ability to breath air; because of this it can survive, if it remains moist, for hours out of water. This fish is a omnivore as it eats most foods, it likes PH of 6.0 to 7.0 and 26 to 30 degrees temp, gets on well in a tank with others, though the moonlight may be picked on. They reach a size of about 15 cm, they live for about four years, they enjoy heavily planted tanks, java fern is good and vallisneria. Males have orange to red of the pelvic fins as well as the long dorsal fin that comes to a point, the female are colourless to yellow and the dorsal fins are shorter and rounder They are essentially a shy fish.
They seem to be available at most shops for around the $10 plus area,for a 6cm fish.
(Breeding)
The Moonlight Gourami is an egg layer that builds a bubble nest as most Labyrinth fish do. Breeding of this fish is both easy and interesting. They should be provided a separate breeding tank, as other fish consider eggs and small babies (fry) a tasty snack. The ideal breeding tank has very soft water that has been reduced to a depth of about six inches. pH should be slightly acidic, and the temperature should be raised to at least 80 degrees over a period of several days to trigger spawning. Use dark gravel and provide plenty of floating plants for building the bubble nest. Feeding the breeding pair live foods before attempting the breed them will increase your chances for success.
The male begins the spawning process by carefully preparing a bubble nest. He then begins to court the female under it. This courtship dance is a fascinating display that should not be missed. Spawning culminates in the male wrapping himself around the female. While in this embrace the male turns the female on to her back, which triggers her to release eggs. Up to 2000 eggs may be laid during the spawning, which the male fertilizes as they float up to the nest. In the safety of the bubble nest the eggs incubate for two to three days before hatching.
Once the eggs hatch, the fry must be fed very fine foods several times daily. Most losses of fry are due to lack of adequate food or low water temperature. Live foods such as daphnia, artemia, and rotifers, are ideal. However very finely chopped lettuce, banana skins, and finely ground flake food can be used to feed the young (and are usually easier to find). Keep the water temp in the low to mid 80's while the fry are growing