Sphaerichthys vaillanti
Sphaerichthys vaillanti, sometimes known as Vaillant's chocolate gourami, Samurai gourami, or Samurai zebra gourami , is a species of gourami. It is native to Asia, where it is known only from the Kapuas Kalimantan region of Borneo in Indonesia. It is generally seen in pairs in small creeks or drainage where wood debris is abundant. It is known to mimic dead leaves as a form of camouflage. The species reaches about 6 cm (2.5 inches) in standard length and is known to be a facultative air-breather. Discovery and History This species was discovered and described by Leon Vaillant, who mistakenly first thought of it as a Frail gourami (Ctenops nobilis). It was then named after Leon by Jacques Pellegrin for discovering the new species. The year of its description is 1832. Life Cycle Unlike many other fish species, the female of these mouthbrooders actually initiates the courting behavior, and during this time, they will remain upright for many hours during reproduction. The female will then lay the eggs, about 10-40, and the male will gather them in his mouth. He will then hide while the female guards the area to protect the eggs. Description The male and female of this