n.
Any of several of the freshwater, tropical labyrinth fishes (order Perciformes), especially Osphronemus goramy , an East Indian fish caught or raised for food.
A compact, oval fish with a long, filamentous ray extending from each pelvic fin, it weighs up to 20 lbs (9 kg). Adults are brown or gray with a paler belly. Other gouramis, several of them popular in home aquariums, are Asian members of different genera and families. Generally deep-bodied and small-mouthed, they include the giant gourami ( Colisa fasciata ), a blue-green and reddish brown fish 5 in. (12 cm) long; the dwarf gourami ( C. lalia ), 2.5 in. (6 cm) long, brightly striped in red and blue; and the kissing gourami ( Helostoma temmincki ), a greenish or pinkish white fish noted for its "kissing" activities.
Dwarf gourami ( Colisa lalia ).
Jane Burton/Bruce Coleman Ltd.