TAXONOMY Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes) Family: Osphronemidae (Gouramies) Genus/species: Trichogaster leeri GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Brownish-silver color, covered in a pearl-like pattern with a distinct black line running from the fish’s eye thinning towards the caudal fin.Has filamentous pelvic fins. Large anal fin extends from just behind the pelvic fins almost to the caudal fin. Length to 12 cm (4.7 in). Common name comes from the small, light spots that cover the body like iridescent “pearls. DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Asia: Malay Peninsula, Thailand and Indonesia, including Borneo. Found in small flowing rivers and lakes in areas of dense vegetation. DIET IN THE WILD: Omnivorous; small invertebrates and plants. REPRODUCTION: All gouramis build nests of small air bubbles that vary in size, shape, and position depending on the species. Some may incorporate plants; others are only bubbles. CONSERVATION: IUCN, Near Threatened (NT) REMARKS: Common name comes from the small, light spots that cover the body like iridescent “pearls. Like all gouramis, has a lung-like organ that allows it to breathe air directly by gulping at the surface, an ability that increases survival in low oxygen situations. BO09 Rainforest Borneo, Southeast Asia community. References fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/4674  California Academy of Sciences Docent Rainforest training manual. 2014 Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3627206078/in/set-72157627795872023/ Ron’s WordPress short-link  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-bZ