AQUARIUM FISHES 347 



considerable length. The largest of the commonly kept 

 species is the Striped Gourami (Trichogaster fasciatits), 

 which reaches a length of four to five inches. It is rather 

 sluggish and inactive, but the alternate perpendicular bands 

 of red and blue which adorn its sides are wonderfully bril- 

 liant, especially when the fish is excited. 



The Dwarf Gourami (T. laliiis), true to its name, sel- 

 dom exceeds one and one-half inches. It is much more 

 active in habit than its larger relative and almost as brightly 

 colored, having a blue ground with orange-red perpendicular 

 bars, and red spots on fins and tails. The female is easily 

 distinguished by her paler color and the absence of the blue 

 spot on the gill covers. It is of quiet disposition and may 

 safely be associated with other fishes. 



The Spotted Gourami (Osphromeus trichopterus), al- 

 though rather extensively kept, is not especially attractive. 

 Except during the breeding season, it is olive in general 

 color, with two darker spots on each side. When excited 

 it assumes more intense coloration, but is not to be com- 

 pared with its congeners. 



The habits of the Fighting Fishes (Betta) are almost 

 too well known to every one to need description here. The 

 bellicose disposition of the fiery little male has been made 

 the basis of a national sport in various eastern countries, 

 especially in Siam. The fishes are bred with the greatest 

 care and select strains, noted for their ability in battle, have 

 been developed. The amateur will not have to be told that 

 fishes of this group must be isolated. 



All of the Fighting Fishes are brilliantly colored, the 

 general type of marking being as in the preceding. The 

 best known are the Common {Betta pugnax), the Red (B. 

 rubra) and the Splendid {B. splendens). 



The Climbing Perches (Anabas) represent the highest 

 development of the air-breathing apparatus of the labyrinth 



