462 BULLETIN 188, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



cies of Trichogaster (and of Trichopodus) , namely trichopterus^ was 

 first indicated by Cuvier and Valenciennes in 1831. The Indian fishes 

 formerly called Trichogaster should properly bear the name Colisa of 

 Cuvier and Valenciennes (1831), with fasciata Bloch (1801) as the 

 type. 



These fishes are a rather conspicuous feature of the fresh-water fauna 

 of Thailand, one or several species being taken in almost every haul of 

 seines or traps in suitable localities. They blow masses of glutinous 

 bubbles in which their eggs are deposited, and they are partly depend- 

 ent on atmospheric air for the oxygenation of their blood, the gills 

 being supplemented by a special air-breathing apparatus. 



All the known species, four in number, are found in Thailand. They 

 are: 



Id. Dorsal fin with 3 or 4 spines ; scales in longitudinal series above lateral line 



58 to 65; coloration plain microlepis 



16. Dorsal fin with 5 to 9 spines. 

 2a. Anal rays XII-XIV, 25-30 ; body with no dark oblique cross bands, but with 

 a reddish brown networlc on a pale green bacliground, a dark stripe from 

 eye to base of caudal fin ; diameter of eye much more than 0.5 postorbital 



part of head leerii 



26. Anal rays IX-XII, 33-38; body with numerous dark oblique cross bands; 

 diameter of eye 0.5 postorbital part of head or less. 

 3a. Dorsal soft rays 8 or 9; scales in longitudinal series above lateral line 40 

 to 52 ; a large round black spot on middle of side and another on caudal 



peduncle near base of caudal fin trichopterus 



36. Dorsal soft rays 10 or 11 ; scales in longitudinal series above lateral line 

 55 to 63 ; no round black spot on middle of side or on caudal 

 peduncle pectoralis 



TRICHOGASTER MICROLEPIS (Gunther) 



OspJiromenus microlepis Gunthee, 1861, vol. 3, p. 385 (Cambodia) ; 1864, p. 176 



(Siam and Cambodia ) .—Peters, 1868, p. 260 (Siam). 

 Trichopus microlepis Sauvage, 1881, p. 166 (Siam). 

 Trichopus parvipinnis Sauvage, 1883b, p. 151 (Menam Chao Phya). 

 Trichopodus microlepis Regan, 1910, p. 784 (Bangkok, Monam Chao Phya). — 



Fowler, 1935a, p. 137, fig. Ill (Bangkok) ; 1937, p. 222, fig. 214 (Bangkok. 



Tachin, Mepoon). 

 Deschauenseeia chryseus Fowlek, 19a4a, p. 147, fig. 117 (Bangkok). 



Described from Cambodia when it was a part of Thailand, this fish 

 in recent years has been found to have a rather wide distribution in 

 Central Thailand. Most of the records are for Menam Chao Phya and 

 tributaries, but Fowler records one specimen from the Tachin. 



A length of 15 cm. is attained. The species is easily recognizable by 

 its plain coloration, small scales, and reduced number of dorsal spines. 



The generally used vernacular name pla kadi is shared with other 

 members of the genus. Under the notion that the fish is the female of 

 T. trichopterus, it is sometimes called pla kadi nang {nang, woman or 

 female) . 



