Three-spot gourami

The three-spot gourami is a labyrinth fish of the family Osphronemidae, native to Southeast Asia including the Mekong basin, where it inhabits sluggish, heavily vegetated waters. The name refers to two dark spots on the flank plus the eye, which counts as the third. The common blue and gold aquarium forms are color variants of this species. As a labyrinth breather it can gulp atmospheric air, letting it tolerate low-oxygen conditions. It is an omnivore that eats insects, larvae, algae, and prepared foods. It is a hardy, adaptable fish suited to beginners, but males can be territorial and nippy, especially toward each other and toward long-finned tankmates. A planted tank with a calm surface and floating plants suits it well. Males build bubble nests at the surface and guard the eggs and fry after spawning.