[2] This species descends from the ray-finned fishes, infraclass Teleostei, clade Percomorpha, and order Anabantiformes.

This species was discovered and described by Leon Vaillant, who mistakenly first thought of it as a Frail gourami (Ctenops nobilis).

Unlike many other fish species, the female of these mouthbrooders actually initiates the courting behavior, and during this time, they will remain upright for many hours during reproduction.

All of the coloring that these anabantoids have are to resemble the dead leaf litter and debris that is found naturally in their environment.

Habitat destruction and pollution from illegal gold mining also threaten this gourami, as by the time of discovery and conservation attempts it is speculated that a good amount of the population was already lost to human actions.

This species is rarely seen in the aquarium trade, and is usually stocked from specialist breeders or in smaller local fish stores.

When found, it usually requires a 10+ gallon aquarium that has a PH of 3.5-6.8, and is decorated with wood, botanicals, a sandy substrate, and tannin stained water.

It is an omnivore eating plant and algae matter along with small creatures such as daphnia and worms.