Giant gourami

Care at a glance

Overview

The giant gourami is exactly that, a huge, slow-moving fish that often becomes tame but needs enormous space. Young fish can be kept in a group, but adults are usually housed singly or as a pair, since a full-grown giant gourami is too big for most community tanks. It is mostly peaceful for its size but will eat small fish, so choose large, robust tankmates. It cruises the middle water and surfaces to breathe and to beg for food. Feed a varied diet including pellets, vegetables, fruit and occasional meaty foods, as adults eat a lot of plant matter. Plan for a very large tank of at least 475 liters, and realistically much more for a mature adult.

In the wild

Osphronemus goramy is native to Southeast Asia and is also widely farmed for food, living in warm, slow or still fresh waters such as large rivers, lakes and swamps. It is not fussy about decor, but a big tank with smooth wood, a soft substrate and robust or artificial plants suits it, since it may nibble soft greenery. Keep the temperature between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius and the pH from 6.5 to 7.5. As an air-breather it needs a warm, humid gap under the lid, and its sheer size means strong filtration and generous water changes.

Good to know

The giant gourami is the largest member of the gourami family Osphronemidae, reaching around 70 centimeters. Young fish have a pointed snout and bold banding, while old adults develop a deep body and a pronounced bulging forehead. It builds a large nest from plant material rather than a simple bubble nest, and both parents may tend the young, though home breeding is seldom recorded because of the space required. It is an important food and pond fish across much of Southeast Asia.

Did you know

Giant gouramis are among the largest of all labyrinth fish and can live for two decades or more. Old individuals develop a swollen, almost humped forehead and a heavy body, and many become tame enough to take food from their keeper's hand.

Related species

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  Giant red tail gourami

  Osphronemus laticlavius

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• Seven-banded giant gourami

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• 

  Malay combtail gourami

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• 

  Moonlight gourami

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• 

  Three spot gourami

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• One-spot betta

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