Giant Gourami care guide
Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy) — minimum tank 800 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 6.5-8.
Overview
The Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy) is a very large labyrinth fish from Southeast Asia, reaching up to 70 cm in length. Juveniles show vertical brown bars on a silver body; mature adults are uniformly silver-grey to brownish with a deep, laterally compressed profile and a fleshy forehead in males.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Osphronemus
- Scientific name: Osphronemus goramy
Habitat
Native to slow lowland rivers, swamps and floodplain lakes of mainland Southeast Asia, but widely introduced throughout the tropics as a food fish. Tolerates oxygen-poor warm water thanks to the labyrinth organ that allows breathing of atmospheric air.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L (211.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 40-60 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet
An omnivore tending toward herbivory in the wild, where it grazes on aquatic plants, fruits, fish, frogs and detritus. In aquaria a varied diet of large sinking pellets, vegetables (peas, cucumber, blanched lettuce) and occasional protein items maintains growth and condition.
Compatibility
Generally placid for its size but will eat smaller tank mates and damage finer aquascapes. Suitable only for very large tanks or ponds with similarly sized robust species; avoid small fish, shrimp and delicate plants. Adults often become individually tame and food-motivated.
Breeding
A bubble-nest builder. Males construct a large surface nest from bubbles and plant fragments; the female releases buoyant eggs which the male transfers to the nest and guards through hatching. Spawning size requires very large purpose-built systems.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Wild stocks are stable, supported by extensive aquaculture for food across South and Southeast Asia.