The threestripe gourami normally shows one or two, almost never three, dark stripes running the length of its body but there it lacks any strip along the base of the anal fin.

[2] Males are larger than the females and have elongated rays in the pelvic, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

It appears to prefer very slow flowing or still waters where there is a dense growth of aquatic vegetation or thick plant cover along the shores.

When the female is ready to mate she will move to directly beneath the bubblenestand the male will wrap his body around hers.

[5] The species in the genus Trichopsis make audible sounds using a specialised pectoral mechanism which is unique within the gouramis.

[6] The species was first discovered and imported to Europe by the German aquarist Dietrich Schaller, who is honoured in its specific name.