All fish / Osphronemidae

Frail Gourami

Ctenops nobilis

Also known as frail gourami, noble gourami, pike gourami, ctenops, クテノプス・ノビリス, 长吻丝足鱼

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A slim, long-snouted gourami with a pointed head, brownish body and a dark stripe along each side edged in gold. It is shy, slow-moving and rarely seen in shops, so it is mainly kept by specialist anabantoid enthusiasts who enjoy its unusual stalking hunting style.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

A pair or small group in a quiet species tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, mosquito larvae and small shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India and Bangladesh (Ganges and Brahmaputra basins)

Breeding

Males are mouthbrooders, carrying the eggs and fry in the throat for around two to three weeks. Spawning in captivity has been recorded but is uncommon, and wild-caught fish often need lengthy conditioning first.

Good to know

Very sensitive to poor water and stress on import, and often refuses dried foods, so keep it in a heavily planted, dimly lit tank with calm companions. It may eat tiny fish and shrimp.