This is by far the most frequently available of all the licorice gourami species. It has a long history in the hobby, having first been imported in 1914, but its rather demanding requirements mean that it is often not seen at its best in aquatic stores—a factor that has undoubtedly contributed to its somewhat limited occurrence in home aquaria.
Adults of this species have a somewhat more rounded head profile than Monocirrhus polyacanthus (South American Leaf Fish) and Nandus nandus (Common Nandus). Some specimens have very attractive dark mottling.
Although a leaf fish, Common Nandus does not exhibit the head-down posture of Monocirrhus polyacanthus (South American Leaf Fish) and is not as leaflike. It exhibits more normal swimming activity, but it has an equally large mouth and similar feeding habits.
Aptly named, the South American Leaf Fish floats in midwater, head angled downward, creating the perfect impression of a drifting leaf. The large mouth is a clear indication of the diet of this very challenging fish. Its effective camouflage coloration enables it to drift very close to unsuspecting fish, at which point it opens its mouth wide and sucks in its victim.
The other common name, Chameleon Fish, refers to this fish’s ability to change color rapidly according to mood. Two basic color forms have been known for a long time in the wild, and they are usually regarded as separate subspecies: B. b. badis (Blue Dwarf), with bluish fins, and B. b. burmanicus (Burmese Badis/Chameleon Fish), a reddish form. More recently, a darker form: B. b. siamensis (Siamese Badis/Chameleon Fish) has begun appearing in the hobby. A less colorful, fourth Badis (probably B. b. assamensis) has also been recorded.
This is one of the smaller species in the genus and therefore easier to accommodate. However, it is just as predatory as its close relatives; like them, it is capable of delivering a nasty bite to an unsuspecting human hand. Adult specimens exhibit excellent black body markings. This species may be illegal or restricted in some U.S. states and in parts of Canada; it is best to seek advice locally before purchase.
This is the most widely available Channa species, usually sold as strikingly marked striped juveniles with red areas around the caudal and pectoral fins. These markings are gradually lost until the fish becomes more irregularly marked with little or no red. It is, nevertheless, a very attractive fish, even in its adult form. Like all its relatives in the genus and the family, it is predatory and large—beginners would be wise to avoid it. This species may be illegal or restricted in some U.S. states and in parts of Canada; it is best to seek advice locally before purchase.
As its name implies, this is a large fish that can be kept on a long-term basis only by aquarists who can accommodate it. It is usually available as juveniles of various colors, including (mainly) the wild type and a golden- bodied one. The Red-finned Giant Gourami, which began becoming available in the 1990s, is probably O. Iciticlavus, originally from Sabah, Borneo. The O. septemfasciatus (Sevenstripe Giant Gourami) is only rarely seen. Both these last species were described only during the early 1990s. NOTE: The common name Giant Gourami also applies to Colisa fasciata.
Built like a torpedo and armed with a large mouth, the Pikehead is an efficient predator. It is a fish for the specialist who can cater to its needs. A second, as yet unidentified, species, the Spotted Pikehead, was collected in the late 1990s but has not yet become widespread.
This large species is famous for its “kissing” habit and fleshy lips. The kissing, however, has little to do with affection and a great deal to do with gaining or maintaining territory; it is, in fact, a mouth-to-mouth trial of strength, which results in no damage to either party. There are three color forms available: the green or wild type, a pink-bodied version, and a mottled one.