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| Gouramis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anabantiformes |
| Suborder: | Anabantoidei |
| Family: | Osphronemidae van der Hoeven, 1832 |
| Subfamilies & genera | |
see text | |
Gouramis, orgouramies/ɡʊˈrɑːmi/, are a group offreshwateranabantiformfish that comprise thefamilyOsphronemidae. The fish are native toAsia—from theIndian Subcontinent toSoutheast Asia and northeasterly towardsKorea. The name "gourami", ofIndonesian origin fromSundanese word the name "gurame", is also used for fish of the familiesHelostomatidae andAnabantidae.
Many gouramis have an elongated, feeler-like ray at the front of each of theirpelvic fins. All living species show parental care until fry are free swimming: some aremouthbrooders, like theKrabi mouth-brooding betta (Betta simplex), and others, like theSiamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), buildbubble nests. Currently, about 133 species are recognised, placed in four subfamilies and about 15genera.
The namePolyacanthidae has also been used for this family. Some fish now classified as gouramis were previously placed in familyAnabantidae. The subfamilyBelontiinae was recently demoted from the familyBelontiidae. Aslabyrinth fishes, gouramis have alung-like labyrinth organ that allows them to gulp air and use atmospheric oxygen.[1] This organ is a vital adaptation for fish that often inhabit warm, shallow, oxygen-poor water.[1] Gouramis can live for 1–5 years.
The earliest fossil gourami isOmbilinichthys from the early-midEoceneSangkarewang Formation ofSumatra,Indonesia. A second fossil taxon from the same formation, known from several specimens and tentatively assigned toOsphronemus goramy when analyzed in the 1930s, is now lost.[2]
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The family Osphronemidae is divided into the following subfamilies and genera:[3][4]
Giant gouramis,Osphronemus goramy, or Kaloi inMalay, are eaten in some parts of the world. In Maritime Southeast Asian countries, they are often deep-fried and served in sweet-sour sauce, chili sauce, and other spices. Theparadise fish,Macropodus opercularis, and other members of thatgenus are the target of acannery industry in China, the products of which are available in Asian supermarkets around the world.Gouramis are particularly found inSundanese cuisine.[5]
In Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, gouramis are readily fished at streams, brooks, canal, rivers and many more large water area systems.
Numerous gourami species, such as thedwarf gourami,pearl gourami, are popular aquarium fish widely kept throughout the world. They are sought after due to their bright colours and relative intelligence, being able to recognise their owners and "greeting" them,[6] having a desire to explore the plants and rocks placed across their aquarium,[7] and displaying extensive paternal care with the males protecting the eggs until they hatch, and building a foam raft to keep them afloat.[7] As labyrinth fish, they will often swim near the top of the tank in order to breathe air.[8] As with other tropical freshwater fish, anaquarium heater is often used. Gouramis will eat either prepared or livefoods. Some species can grow quite large and are unsuitable for the general hobbyist. Big gouramis may become territorial with fish that are colourful and a comparable size to them, however that generally depends on the individual's temperament, as some gourami will be more tolerant of tankmates than others.[9][10] Gouramis may nip at other fish, and males should never be kept together as they will become aggressive.[8]
Generally regarded as peaceful, gouramis are still capable of harassing or killing smaller or long-finned fish. Depending on the species, adult and juvenile males have been known to spar with one another. Aggression can also occur as a result of overcrowding.
Gouramis have been housed with many species, such asdanios,mollies,silver dollars,Neon tetras, andplecostomus catfish. Compatibility depends on the species of gourami and the fish it is housed with. Some species (e.g.,Macropodus orBelontia) are highly aggressive or predatory and may harass or kill smaller or less aggressive fish; whereas, others (Parosphromenus andSphaerichthys, for instance) are very shy or have specific water requirements and thus will be outcompeted by typical community fish.
The name "gourami" is used of several other related fish that are now placed in different families:
