Combtail Gourami Identification Guide
Identify the Combtail Gourami by its frayed, comb-like tail fin edge and deep, reddish-brown, laterally compressed body.
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Key identification features
- Deep, oval, laterally compressed body
- Reddish-brown to olive base color with faint darker mottling across the flanks
- Long dorsal and anal fins extending back toward the tail
- Caudal fin with a fringed, comb-like trailing edge, the source of the common name
- Iridescent highlights along the edges of individual scales
- Robust, muscular build compared to the more delicate profile of most gouramis
- Grows to roughly 15-18 cm, larger than many other gouramis
Common look-alikes
- Three spot gourami: has a smooth-edged tail rather than the fringed, comb-like margin
- Paradise fish: shows bold alternating blue and red banding and elongated tail-fin filaments instead of a comb fringe
- Pearl gourami: displays a beaded, pearlescent spotting pattern absent in the combtail
Where you'll see one
Combtail Gouramis are native to streams and rivers of Sri Lanka, with a related species found on Java. Unlike many still-water gouramis, they favor flowing, well-oxygenated water among rocks and submerged vegetation, often holding position near riffles and undercut banks rather than drifting in open pools.
Frequently asked questions
How do I confirm the comb-like tail feature?
Examine the trailing edge of the caudal fin closely; it should look frayed or fringed rather than smoothly rounded or pointed, which is unique among common gourami species.
How is it different from a paradise fish it might resemble?
The combtail gourami has a more subdued reddish-brown mottled color and a fringed tail, while the paradise fish shows sharp, bold blue-and-red bands and pointed, filamentous fin tips.