Gourami whereas others ("Parosphromenus" and "Sphaerichthys", for instance) are very shy or have specific water requirements and thus will be outcompeted by typical community fish. The name "gourami" is used of several other related fish that are now placed in different families: Gourami Gouramis, or gouramies , are a group of freshwater anabantiform fishes that comprise the family Osphronemidae. The fish are native to Asia—from Pakistan and India to the Malay Archipelago and northeasterly towards Korea. The name "gourami", of Javanese origin, is also used for fish of the families Helostomatidae and Anabantidae. Many gouramis have an elongated, feeler-like ray at
Snakeskin gourami a 32-inch (81 cm) or 30 gallon (114 liter) tank. The recommended pH is 5.8 to 8.5 with a water hardness of 2 to 30 dH and a temperature of 72 to 86 °F (22–30 °C). A snakeskin gourami can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in captivity and its spawns are also unusually large. Snakeskin gouramies, being omnivores, eat live food such as "Tubifex" worms, insects, insect larvae and crustaceans. They also consume flakes, pellets, chopped spinach and lettuce. They are not picky and will accept any food offered. Breeding snakeskin gourami is not difficult. They will breed