Elephant Ear Gourami

About

The Elephant Ear Gourami (Osphronemus exodon) is one of the more unusual members of its genus, and that's saying something in a group that already includes the massive Giant Gourami. What sets this species apart immediately is its dentition. Enlarged teeth that protrude outside the closed mouth, arranged in additional rows that ring the outer lips like a bizarre fringe. In the wild, across the Mekong basin, these teeth serve a remarkable purpose: the fish uses them to strip fruit from branches hanging over the water, and will even leap clear of the surface to snag a particularly tempting fig. The body is large and laterally compressed, with the oversized gill covers that give the species its common name. Juveniles display vertical barring and carry a dark spot near the tail, which fades as they grow. In the wild this species migrates seasonally between the main river channel and flooded forest areas, so it appreciates space and good filtration above all else. Aggression, which can be real, is largely a product of cramped conditions. Given a genuinely large setup it will often coexist with robust tankmates like large barbs, catfish, and knifefish. It remains infrequently imported and is best suited to experienced keepers with the infrastructure to match its size.