Microctenopoma is a genus of small labyrinth fish in the family Anabantidae, found across tropical Africa, with atlas records spanning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Botswana. The 12 species covered here are modest in size, from about 1.5–3 in, elongated and often mottled or barred in pattern. Like other anabantids, they possess a labyrinth organ that lets them gulp atmospheric air, an adaptation to the slow-moving, oxygen-poor, often tannin-stained swamp and forest-stream habitats much of the genus favors.
The genus is closely related to the larger-bodied Ctenopoma and was split out to hold its smaller species; several are established in the aquarium hobby, notably Microctenopoma ansorgii, the ornate ctenopoma, prized for its bold barring and reddish fin trim, and the diminutive Microctenopoma nanum, the dwarf ctenopoma, a shy fish suited to quiet, densely planted setups. Most species build bubble nests and can turn territorial when breeding. With 8 of the 12 atlas species rated Least Concern, the genus as a whole does not appear to be under acute pressure, though 3 remain Data Deficient and one is unevaluated.