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Distribution of Trichopsis vittata in Asia, based on occurrence records in FishNet II (1906–2014), Knight and Balasubramanian (2015), and University of Dhaka and Swedish Museum of Natural History records (Myanmar 1997–2013; Bangladesh 2014, 2016). BD = Bangladesh.
Source publication
The Croaking Gourami, Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831), is native to Southeast Asia and Sundaland, with introductions reported from USA, Philippines and India. The species was found by us in Myanmar (1997 and 2013), and Bangladesh (2014 and 2016). DNA analysis supports the view that T. vittata is a species complex. Specimens from Bangladesh, Myanm...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... vouchered localities in Myanmar and Bangladesh are presented in Table 1 and mapped in Figure 1. All listed specimens were collected using beach seine or handheld nets, or purchased at fish markets, and morphologically identified. ...
Context 2
... Myanmar previous to the present report, not even from the Myanmar portion of the Mekong River, but the species has been common in collections from Indochina and Indonesia for more than a century, suggesting that the Tenasserim and Sino-Burman ranges separating the Indochinese watersheds from the Burmese have been a barrier to westward dispersal (Fig. 1). In 1997, staff from the Swedish Museum of Natural History collected a single T. vittata from a roadside ditch 5 km north of the town of Thaton, in Mon State in eastern Myanmar. The individual was a juvenile, showing that the species was already reproducing in the region. In 2008, numer- ous specimens were collected at different ...
Citations
... Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831), this species inhabits a variety of habitats including freshwater swamps, ponds, lake pools, and slow-flowing rivers. This is because the slowly opening habitat has dense aquatic vegetation and is resistant to certain levels of anthropognetic disturbance and pollution (Low, 2019); (Norén et al., 2017). T. vittata distribution is found in Java, Sumatra, Borneo (Kalimantan, Sarawak), Peninsular Malaysia and the Mekong and Chao Pharaya river basins originating from Indo China. ...
... The behavior of this fish usually lives in a standing position and moves slowly (Sriwongpuk, 2017). It feeds on small floating crustaceans and insect larvae (Norén et al., 2017). ...
... There is no target catch for Trichopsis vittata, but this species may be sold in the market as part of a mixed catch. This is often seen in the trade of ornamental fish kept in aquariums (Norén et al., 2017). ...
Sumatra Island, especially North Sumatra Province, is a habitat for various freshwater fish species, including Trichopsis vittata. This study aimed to assess the sex ratio and size class distribution of T. vittata in three different locations: Tebing Linggahara Village, Bulungihit Village, and Silau Rakyat Village. Fish samples were caught using a serving hood, and total length and weight were measured. The results showed that the sex ratio of T. vittata was 1:1, indicating a balance of males and females in the population. The size distribution of fish was dominated by the rather large (46.27-52.27 mm) and small (34.25-40.25 mm) classes, indicating a diverse population growth. This condition shows that the recruitment process is still running well in nature. This study is expected to be the basis for the management and conservation of T. vittata in North Sumatra waters. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the ecological aspects of the habitat to support the conservation of this species
... vittata belong to the lineage 3 as identified in Panijpan et al. (2015), which is otherwise distributed in West and South Thailand. Norén et al. (2017) commented that this lineage should be recognized as Trichopsis harisi. Ng and Kottelat (2008) suggested that Clarias batrachus is a complex of several species. ...
The island of Penang lying off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is one of the historical places for ichthyological exploration in Southeast Asia and the type locality of three freshwater species and one euryhaline species. Freshwater ecosystems on the island are currently threatened by multiple causes. To facilitate further environmental-oriented monitoring actions, we reexamined the fish diversity by surveying several freshwater localities across the island. All collected specimens were vouchered, morphologically identified and then genetically characterized using the “Barcode” fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. We collected a total of 52 fish species, including 37 (21 native + 16 introduced) strictly-adapted freshwater species. Five native and 10 introduced species represent new records for the island. Genetic analyses revealed low cryptic diversity within morphologically identified species. Combining our results with those of previous surveys, a total of 63 fish species are now known from Penang freshwaters, however, five native species were not collected in the last 60 years and their conservation status is certainly at risk on the island. Overall, the presence of many introduced species along with the general degradation of freshwater habitats of Penang Island threaten its native fish diversity.
... Furthermore, research has been conducted on T. trichopterus such as air-breathing organs [18,19], reproduction [20] and growth [21][22][23]. In addition, [24], distribution [25][26][27] and genetics [28]. However, research on the morphological comparisons of the three species has never been reported, it is important for the management of fishery resources in the future. ...
The objective of the present study was to analyze the morphometric character of the three species within Gourami group, namely Trichopsis vittata, Trichopodus pectoralis and Trichopodus trichopterus. The T. vittata samples were collected from Aceh Tamiang District, the T. pectoralis were collected from Aceh Besar District, and the T. trichopterus were collected from Aceh Jaya District, Indonesia. A total 150 individual of fish samples (50 individual of every species) were measured for traditional morphometric characters. The results of univariate (ANOVA) analysis showed that all morphometric characters measured in three fish species were significantly different (P <0.05). Multivariate (Discriminant function analysis, DFA) analysis showed that T. pectoralis and T. trichopterus have more similar morphological characteristics, whereas T. vittata was discriminated distinctly. These results confirm that the level of relationship between T. trichopterus and T. pectoralis is closer than T. vittata.
... Trichopsis vittata is a small-bodied gourami (Family: Osphronemidae) that reaches 6.5 cm TL (Schofield and Pecora 2013). Its native range includes Java, Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and the Mekong basin in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Kottelat 1985;Rainboth 1996;Norén et al. 2017). Non-native introductions have been reported from the Philippines (BFAR 2006in Norén et al. 2017, India (Knight and Balasubramanian 2015), Myanmar (Norén et al. 2017), Bangladesh (Norén et al. 2017;Akash and Hossain 2018) and Florida, USA (Schofield and Pecora 2013). ...
... Its native range includes Java, Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and the Mekong basin in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Kottelat 1985;Rainboth 1996;Norén et al. 2017). Non-native introductions have been reported from the Philippines (BFAR 2006in Norén et al. 2017, India (Knight and Balasubramanian 2015), Myanmar (Norén et al. 2017), Bangladesh (Norén et al. 2017;Akash and Hossain 2018) and Florida, USA (Schofield and Pecora 2013). Most reports of non-native introductions note T. vittata's presence in the aquarium trade as the most likely vector for its movement outside the native range. ...
... Its native range includes Java, Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and the Mekong basin in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Kottelat 1985;Rainboth 1996;Norén et al. 2017). Non-native introductions have been reported from the Philippines (BFAR 2006in Norén et al. 2017, India (Knight and Balasubramanian 2015), Myanmar (Norén et al. 2017), Bangladesh (Norén et al. 2017;Akash and Hossain 2018) and Florida, USA (Schofield and Pecora 2013). Most reports of non-native introductions note T. vittata's presence in the aquarium trade as the most likely vector for its movement outside the native range. ...
... The dorsal fin rays, pectoral fin rays, pelvic fin rays, and the caudal fin rays were similar among the specimens collected from different freshwater habitats located in different region. A similar number fin rays were also recorded by Norén., et al. [11], Akash and Hossain [6] and Islam., et al. [23]. Several studies reported that the number of fin rays of the same species does not differ much from each other [3,27,28]. ...
... Exotic fish species have been introduced in Bangladesh either due to aquarium release or deliberate aquaculture attempts and bio-control efforts. T. vittata is a newer addition to the list and the source of introduction is still unknown [6,11]. In the sampling areas around the River Buriganga, this species was found in an incredibly low density in both the sampling times, though in two different times of a year. ...
... There is strong controversy among the scientists regarding their way and source of introduction. Norén., et al. [11], who identified Trichopsis vittata from Bangladesh and Myanmar with scientific documentation for the first time, mentioned it most likely an aquarium escape but another school [6] ...
Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier 1831), a freshwater croaking gourami (Osphronemidae), typically regarded as a negative biological indicator , has been recorded from four different freshwater habitats in Bangladesh during the study period from December 2017 to August 2018. Taxonomic identification was confirmed from the external appearance, morphometric measurements and meristic counts of the species. The body was laterally elongated with clearly visible stripes and black blotch above the pectoral fin base. Average total length, standard length, pre-dorsal length, pelvic fin base length, dorsal fin base length, anal-fin base length, and pectoral-fin base length were 5.3 cm, 3.64 cm, 2.36 cm, 2.17 cm, 1.95 cm, 1.5 cm, and 1.0 cm. The number of rays in the dorsal fin, anal fin, pectoral fin, pelvic fin, and caudal fin were 7-10, 31-34, 9-11, 5-8 and 14-17. The occurrence of T. vittata in these rivers indicates their rapid spreading across the country within a very short period of time. Intensive research programs along with counter surveys are suggested to cross-check their spreading pattern, ecological sensitivity, and impacts on native fish biodiversity.
... OBU 32 represents Trichopsis vittata. It is the first record of a feral population of an introduced species originating in South East Asia, which is not also an aquaculture species and the barcode is specific for the aquarium population derived from a specific region in Thailand 21 . ...
We sequenced the standard DNA barcode gene fragment in 694 newly collected specimens, representing 243 species level Operational Barcode Units (OBUs) of freshwater fishes from Bangladesh. We produced coi sequences for 149 out of the 237 species already recorded from Bangladesh. Another 83 species sequenced were not previously recorded for the country, and include about 30 undescribed or potentially undescribed species. Several of the taxa that we could not sample represent erroneous records for the country, or sporadic occurrences. Species identifications were classified at confidence levels 1(best) to 3 (worst). We propose the new term Operational Barcode Unit (OBU) to simplify references to would-be DNA barcode sequences and sequence clusters. We found one case where there were two mitochondrial lineages present in the same species, several cases of cryptic species, one case of introgression, one species yielding a pseudogene to standard barcoding primers, and several cases of taxonomic uncertainty and need for taxonomic revision. Large scale national level DNA barcode prospecting in high diversity regions may suffer from lack of taxonomic expertise that cripples the result. Consequently, DNA barcoding should be performed in the context of taxonomic revision, and have a defined, competent end-user.
... Of the three Trichopsis, only T. vittata has been documented to have non-native populations. Recently, Norén et al. (2017) found T. vittata further west in the Ayeyarwady and the Yangon Rivers of Myanmar. Feral establishment of the species has also occurred in the USA (Florida), the Philippines and India (Vidthayanon 2012; Schofield and Pecora 2013;Knight and Balasubramanian 2015). ...
... The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh (2015) described the species as Least Concern and speculated it would spread across the country. Most recently, Norén et al. (2017) ran a DNAbased study on specimens collected from Bangladesh and Myanmar validating fifteen localities of which six were from Bangladesh. Sightings of T. vittata have not been definitively followed up in Bangladesh. ...
... Sites 11 to 15 and Site 24 falls within districts adjacent to Dhaka to the west and east. Plotting the findings from the current study together with localities mentioned by Norén et al. (2017) revealed that all the five major rivers of Dhaka (i.e., the Buriganga, the Balu, the Dhaleswari, the Turag and the Sitalakhsya) harbour the species resulting in 21 observations and 14 site localities in total (Figure 2). Of the five rivers, T. vittata was found in the Turag River consecutively in each year of the study period; pervasiveness was also the highest in this river with eight observations from four localities (Figure 2). ...
The croaking gourami Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831), a small Southeast Asian freshwater fish, has long been a non-native enigma to the ichthyologists and hobbyists of Bangladesh. The species has been seen regularly in the Ganges Delta and exotic fish keepers are well aware of its presence there, although nothing is known about the source of introduction. Its first scientific documentation in Bangladesh only occurred in 2012 and in India in 2015. In this paper, we report observation records of T. vittata in Bangladesh through field work, and photographic and literary evidence. From March 2014 to August 2017, 33 confirmed observations were made pinpointing 25 different distribution localities. Plotting observations and localities against time indicated that T. vittata, already a proven sturdy invader in Florida, USA, is steadily spreading its range across
the deltaic floodplains of Bangladesh.
The Croaking Gourami Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831) is a native fish to southeastern Asia and Sundaland, with introduction reports from the USA, Philippines, and many other countries including India. In India, this species was first reported from Chembarampakkam Lake situated in Chennai during the year 2015. This study reports the presence of this fish for the first time in the Magra Beel, a wetland in the district of Nadia, West Bengal, in 2021, 2022, 2023. The laboratory evaluated the fish samples taken from the marsh to determine their fin ray counts and morphometric data. The results identified the species as T. vittata and supported previous research.
Based on its original description and putative topotypes, the identity of the banded gourami Trichogaster fasciata is resolved. Trichogaster lalia is a synonym of T. fasciata, and the name Trichogaster bejeus is applied to the species hitherto identified as T. fasciata. T. fasciata is distinguished from its congeners in the shape of caudal fin, colouration, lip morphology and meristic and mensural characters.
