- Name:
Giant Gourami
(View AKA's) - Family: Osphronemidae
- Species: Gouramis
- Scientific Name: Osphronemus goramy
General info about Giant Gourami
As juveniles, these fish are yellow and have silvery or dark stripes and as they get older these stripes fade and the fish gains a creamy coloration, with age the fish also develops a swollen forehead, thick lips and chin. They also have a labyrinth organ that acts like a lung and allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen, this is a survival mechanism for when they are in polluted water or in areas affected by droughts. These fish are very large, some natives report that in the wild they can be 2 feet long, however, in captivity they only reach 16 inches. Due to their size, these fish require an extremely large tank. Giant Gouramis can live for over 20 years, they develop a real personality and can even recognize their owner. Besides being popular in the hobby these fish are also popular as a food and are even considered one of the most delicious freshwater fish.
To keep these fish in captivity, water temperature should range from 68ºF to 86ºF and water pH should be between 6.5 and 8.0. The tank should have hiding places, rocks and some floating plants. These fish eat a lot and produce a lot of waste, as such, it is very important for the tank to also have a big and efficient filtration system. They can be kept in a community aquarium with large tankmates, smaller tankmates will be eaten.
Giant Gourami Diet & Nutrition
This species is omnivorous. In the wild it feeds on algae, smaller fish, crustaceans, amphibians and even dead meat. In captivity they can be fed with flakes, vegetables, live and frozen food.
Determining Sex of Giant Gourami
Males have longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fins and a large lump on their foreheads while females have thicker lips than males.
Breeding & Spawning Giant Gourami
To breed Giant Gouramis in captivity an extremely large breeding tank with surface vegetation is required. The male starts by building a nest using vegetation and after the eggs are fertilized he takes them to the nest and guards them, at this time the female should be removed to avoid being attacked. The eggs take 1 to 2 days to hatch and the fry become free swimming after 3 to 5 days.
Giant Gourami Origin
This species originated in Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, however, it has been introduced in some other countries and nowadays it can be found in many south Asian countries.
Original Detail
| Name | Species | Family | Scientific Name | More Detail | Added by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Gourami | Gouramis | Osphronemidae | Osphronemus goramy | As juveniles, these fish are yellow and have silvery or dark stripes and as they get older these stripes fade and the fish gains a creamy coloration, with age the fish also develops a swollen forehead, thick lips and chin. They also have a labyrinth organ that acts like a lung and allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen, this is a survival mechanism for when they are in polluted water or in areas affected by droughts. These fish are very large, some natives report that in the wild they can be 2 feet long, however, in captivity they only reach 16 inches. Due to their size, these fish require an extremely large tank. Giant Gouramis can live for over 20 years, they develop a real personality and can even recognize their owner. Besides being popular in the hobby these fish are also popular as a food and are even considered one of the most delicious freshwater fish. To keep these fish in captivity, water temperature should range from 68ºF to 86ºF and water pH should be between 6.5 and 8.0. The tank should have hiding places, rocks and some floating plants. These fish eat a lot and produce a lot of waste, as such, it is very important for the tank to also have a big and efficient filtration system. They can be kept in a community aquarium with large tankmates, smaller tankmates will be eaten. |
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