First records of Croaking Gourami, Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831) (Teleostei: Osphronemidae), from Myanmar and Bangladesh

Abstract

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, Myanmar and the European aquarium trade are the same genotype as specimens from Thailand, possibly corresponding to Trichopsis harrisi Fowler, 1934, considered a synonym of T. vittata. Non-native populations are likely due to release from aquarium specimens.