| Anabantids are found in Africa and Asia. Members of the families
Anabantidae, Belontiidae, Helostomatidae, and Osphronemidae, Anabantids are
also referred to as the ``labyrinth fishes''. This is due to a special breathing
organ referred to as the labyrinth organ which is essentially a maze of tunnels
near the fish's gills. Labyrinth fish gulp air at the surface of the water
and absorb it through the labyrinth organ, allowing them to live in water
with too little oxygen to support fish which only breath through their gills.
Some Anabantids can survive out of water for several hours breathing only
through their labyrinths, as long as they stay moist. Anabas testudineus,
known as the Climbing Perch, is said to be able to climb trees and to live
out of water for up to two days.
As well as giving aquarists some additional choices for community-tank
fish, Anabantids offer some unique options to fish keepers as well as presenting
a few problems. Because some Anabantids are able to withstand cooler
temperatures, and because of their ability to survive in water with very
low oxygen, these fishes can be kept in tanks or bowls without heaters or
filtration. On the other hand, some Anabantids (particularly males of some
species) are very territorial and some grow quite large.
Breeding Anabantids can be quite rewarding. Some species build nests out
of bubbles into which they place their eggs while others, like some Cichlids,
are mouthbrooders.
The most commonly seen Anabantid is probably the Betta or Siamese Fighting
Fish (which is generally said to be Betta splendens but is probably a
crossbreed). Artificial color varieties with red, blue, green, purple, and
many other colors in various combinations are widely available. Males are
bred to have very large fins and both sexes are seen with double tails. Siamese
Fighting Fish generally make poor choices for the community tank for two
reasons. First, as their name would imply, they are very territorial. The
aggression is greatest between two males, but can be directed towards any
fish that looks to the Betta too much like another Betta. Second, their long
fins make easy targets for many fish such as Barbs. Siamese Fighting Fish
can be kept alone in bowls (the larger the better) or tanks without filtration
as long as frequent partial water changes are done. They do need warm
temperatures, however, and are sensitive to temperature changes, so a constant
heat supply is needed if the room is less than about 75F. Also, due to poor
breeding, many Siamese Fighting Fish are not very healthy. A 3" male would
be a large adult; females stay smaller.
 A Special Species Of Fresh Water
Fish.
A better choice for keeping alone in a bowl or small tank
is the Paradise Fish - Macropodus opercularis. These are much hardier fish
than the Fighters and can withstand temperatures down to 60F. They may jump,
however, so the tank should be covered to be safe. Also, like Siamese Fighting
Fish, male Paradise Fish can be extremely territorial towards one another.
Paradise Fish may get up to 4" long.
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Another very commonly seen Anabantid is the Blue or Three-Spot Gourami
- Trichogaster trichopterus. Gold, Silver, and Cosby Gouramies are also widely
available and are simply artificial color varieties of the Blue Gourami.
Blue Gouramies can get up to 6" long. They are not as aggressive as Fighters
or Paradise Fish, but more than one in a small tank may lead to constant
(if not overly deadly) chasing. They will do well in a tank with larger schooling
fishes. Similar, though slightly smaller species include the Banded or Giant
Gourami - Colisa fasciata (which is only a giant compared to the similarly
colored Dwarf Gourami described below), the Thick-lipped Gourami - Colisa
labiosa and the somewhat less aggressive Pearl Gourami - Trichogaster leeri
and Moonlight Gourami - T. microlepis. The Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temmincki
grows larger (up to 12") but makes a good fish for beginners with larger
tanks. It is peaceful, though males will contest with one another by pressing
their lips together and pushing - the so-called ``kissing'' from which the
common name derives. Most Kissing Gouramies seen will be of the Pink variety.
Small Gouramies, only growing to 2" or so in length, are also available.
These include the Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia, the Honey Gourami - C. chuna,
and the Sunset Dwarf Gourami (probably a cross between C. lalia and C. chuna).
In theory, these would all be good fish for the community aquarium. In practice,
these fish are often the victims of poor breeding practices in the Far East
(like so many others described before) and many are even treated with hormones
before they are shipped to make them appear brighter in the store tanks.
A good rule of thumb is, ``If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.''
Although harder to find, Anabantids which have had less human interference
with their reproduction are generally better choices. Look for the Mouthbrooding
Betta - Betta pugnax, the Licorice Gourami - Parosphromenus deissneri, the
Spike-Tailed Paradise Fish - Pseudosphromenus cupanus, the Croaking Gourami
- Trichopsis vittatus, and the Dwarf Croaking Gourami - T. pumilus, which
range in size from 1" to 4". Do not buy Chocolate Gouramies - Sphaerichthys
osphromenoides which are quite delicate, or the true Giant Gouramies -
Osphronemus spp. which grow quickly to well over two feet long.
GOOD AND BAD BEGINNER FISH ......
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Pearl Gourami
 
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THE THREE SPOT GOURAMI
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* Members
World Wide
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ndre's
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The Betta (Siamese
fighting fish) 
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