Leopard Gourami

Leopard Gourami Fish is a prized possession. This attractive and colorful species, sometimes known as the Spotted Climbing Perch, could be a predator to many of the fish in your tank.

This fish, as a bubble-nest maker, requires a densely populated aquarium with many plants with hanging roots and African driftwood. 

These fish are also known as “climbing fish,” which signifies they are patient predators who would hide in plants while waiting for a meal.

This fish will perform well in a tank with other fish of the same size or larger. Leopard fish prefer soft, somewhat acidic, warm water.

These are slow-moving fish that will hang out in all sections of your aquarium and thrive in small groups. It is known by several distinct names, including leopard bush fish, spotted ctenopoma, spotted climbing perch, spotted leaf fish, spotted cichlid, and spotted bushfish.

They are classified as labyrinth fish because they breathe directly from the air using a lung-like labyrinth organ and require access to the water’s surface. If you breed this species, you will notice that their elaborate bubble nests have excellent construction instincts.

II. You would love the fish because…

Adults can grow to be up to 20 cm (8 in) long. However, in a tank, species rarely exceed 15 cm in length (6 in). The body is tall and slightly flattened on the sides, with an extended mouth and huge eyes.

The fish is patterned, with dark spots spread across its yellowy-brown body and fins. This pigmentation is very similar to leopard and fully conceals the body outlines. The tail stem has a brightly colored vertical stripe.

The leopard bush fish has a dark-colored tail, which makes determining the real size of the fish difficult. There’s also a place on the tails that looks like an eye. You may come across creatures with such dark pigmentation that their markings are scarcely apparent.

The fertile males have scales with notched edges and black pigmentation on their unpaired fins. The females of the latter species have several tiny dots.

The leopard bush fish has a lifespan of 8-10 years.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

The Leopard gourami is calm and good-tempered contrary to most carnivorous species.

IV. Species compatibility

Medium-sized gourami species, Bala shark, silver dollar, Corydoras, Plecostomus species, Ancistrus catfish, and anything that won’t fit into its mouth.

V. How to feed this species?

In the wild, leopard bush fish will eat any fish or insect they come across small enough to fit into their mouths. In the aquarium, though, they will readily learn to accept dead alternatives such as bloodworms (chironomid midge larvae) and some sinking pellets.