gourami

gou·ra·mi

noun \gü-ˈrä-mē\

plural gou·ra·mi or gou·ra·mis also gou·ra·mies

Definition of GOURAMI

: any of numerous African and Asian tropical freshwater bony fishes (order Perciformes): as

a : a large Asian food fish (Osphronemus goramy of the family Osphronemidae)

b : any of various small fishes (families Belontiidae and Helostomatidae) often kept in aquariums

Origin of GOURAMI

Malay dialect (Java), from Javanese graméh

First Known Use: 1878

Rhymes with GOURAMI

Khatami, Lomami, pastrami, salami, tatami, tsunami, umami

gourami

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia).—Jane Burton/Bruce Coleman Ltd.

Any of several of the freshwater, tropical labyrinth fishes (order Perciformes), especially Osphronemus goramy, an East Indian fish caught or raised for food. A compact, oval fish with a long, filamentous ray extending from each pelvic fin, it weighs up to 20 lbs (9 kg). Adults are brown or gray with a paler belly. Other gouramis, several of them popular in home aquariums, are Asian members of different genera and families. Generally deep-bodied and small-mouthed, they include the giant gourami (Colisa fasciata), a blue-green and reddish brown fish 5 in. (12 cm) long; the dwarf gourami (C. lalia), 2.5 in. (6 cm) long, brightly striped in red and blue; and the kissing gourami (Helostoma temmincki), a greenish or pinkish white fish noted for its “kissing” activities.