This species is fairly common and has a widespread distribution including parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and northern Indonesia. These fish are typcially found in slow-moving waters that provide plenty of cover in the form of floating or marginal vegetation. Croaking Gouramis display a variety of colorations. Some specimens have pale brown or green bodies while others are dark brown or purple. Most specimens exhibit black or red spots on the fins along with two to four dark stripes or rows of spots along their sides.