Thick-lipped Gourami

About

Found in the rivers of southern Myanmar, Colisa labiosus is a labyrinth fish. Meaning it can breathe atmospheric oxygen directly from the surface, and in fact must do so to survive. That detail alone has real implications for how you set up its tank: always leave a gap between the water surface and the lid, and make sure that air pocket stays warm, because chilling those labyrinth organs can cause serious health problems. The species is closely related to the more commonly seen dwarf and thick-lipped gouramis, and it shares that group's characteristic fleshy, prominent lips, which is the easiest way to distinguish it from similar species at a glance. It grows to a reasonable size for a gourami, up to around four inches in a well-maintained setup, and tends toward the carnivorous side of the diet spectrum, doing well on protein-rich foods like frozen or live invertebrates alongside quality prepared foods. Temperament is typical for the group: males can be territorial with each other, so keeping multiples requires enough space and visual breaks to reduce tension. This is a rewarding fish for someone with a bit of gourami experience, but probably not the best starting point for a complete beginner.