Osphronemidae - Definition and Overview

The gouramies are a family Osphronemidae of freshwater perciform fish. The fish originate on the Asian continent from Pakistan and India to the Malay Archipelago and north-easterly towards Korea.

Many gouramies have an elongated ray at the front of their pelvic fins. Many species show parental care: some are mouth brooders, and others, like the Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens), build bubble nests. Currently, about 90 species are recognised, placed in 4 subfamilies and about 13 genera.

The name Polyacanthidae has also been used for this family. Some fish now classified as gouramies were previously placed in family Anabantidae. The subfamily Belontiinae was recently demoted from the family Belontiidae.

Other kinds of gouramies

The name "gourami" is used of two other related fish families:

• Kissing gouramis (Helostomatidae)
• Climbing gouramis (Anabantidae)

References

• "Osphronemidae" (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?Family=Osphronemidae). FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• "Osphronemidae" (TSN 172678) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=172678). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on 2 November 2004.