Gourami

Gouramis (Osphronemidae) are brightly-colored freshwater fish native to Asia. They have about 133 known species which differ in size, color, and behavior. While they’re mostly kept as pets, gouramis are also eaten by most cultures that keep them.

Size

Gouramis (or gouramies) can grow to 16 inches in aquariums, with some growing to 18 inches in length. They can grow as long as 2 feet (24 inches) in the wild. The females are often larger than males, but not by much.

Adaptability

They are intelligent fish that like exploring different parts of the aquarium. They can recognize their owners and even act as if greeting them. They like warm waters and will require an aquarium heater to keep the temperature at 72-83°F.

Behavior

Gouramis are exploring fish that swim close to the surface to take in an occasional gulp of air. They can be aggressive since they nip at other docile fish. They even kill smaller fish. Different species have different levels of aggression.

Interesting Facts

Male gouramis guard the eggs until they hatch, and the parents will protect the young ones until they are free to fend for themselves. Males also build a raft to keep the eggs afloat, a unique skill among fish.