The Anabantoidei are a suborder of anabantiform ray-finned freshwater fish distinguished by their possession of a lung-like labyrinth organ, which enables them to breathe air.

As a result, labyrinth fish can survive for a short period of time out of water, as they can inhale the air around them, provided they stay moist.

In Africa, significantly smaller numbers of labyrinth fish can be found in the southern half of the continent, with concentrations in the rainforest waters.

[4] Labyrinth fish are well known for their bubble-nesting behavior, although some species do not build bubble nests and employ other methods of brooding.

Phylogeny of families and genera in Anabatoidei based on mitochondrial DNA sequences:[6] Anabas Sandelia Ctenopoma Microctenopoma Helostoma Ombilinichthys Osphronemus Belontia Luciocephalus Sphaerichthys Ctenops Parasphaerichthys Trichopodus Trichogaster Trichopsis Macropodus Malpulutta Pseudosphromenus Betta Parosphromenus Several labyrinth fish are important food sources in their native countries.

The giant gourami, in particular, is highly valued as food fish, due to its size and tender flesh with few spines.

[7] This species is farmed extensively in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, and was intentionally introduced in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.

Although an attempt to introduce a population in southern France failed, the giant gourami became well established in other French colonies.