They are sexually dimorphic, with the female being silvery, but the male marked with oblique thin red and blue stripes along its flanks.

[5] The thick-lipped gourami has been widely transported around the world for the aquarium fish industry.

[4] Like other Trichogaster species, it tends to be a bit shy and hides under plant life when it feels threatened.

Aquarists avoid keeping it with barbs or other fin-nippers who may damage their thread-like ventral fins.

[5] It has been reported that the bubble nest continues to grow even after the eggs have been laid.