TankBud

Giant red tail gourami

Osphronemus laticlavius

Also known as Giant red fin gourami, Red-tail giant gourami, Red-fin giant gourami, Red giant gourami

FreshwaterFish

Giant red tail gourami (Osphronemus laticlavius)
Hectonichus · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–86°F
20–30°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
19.7 in
50 cm
Minimum tank
264 gal
1,000 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Rivers of Borneo, principally Sabah in Malaysia, in large slow-flowing waters.

Overview

This is a tank-buster that grows to about 50 cm, so an adult needs a very large aquarium of at least 1000 litres, ideally a custom tank or an indoor pond. Keep it at 20 to 30 C with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 and strong filtration. It is mostly peaceful and can share space with other large fish like big catfish and knifefish, but a cramped tank makes it aggressive. Feed a mostly vegetable diet of blanched greens, pellets, and fruit, with occasional meaty foods.

In the wild

Inhabits big, slow rivers and connected pools where adults grow very large. It is an obligate air-breather that comes to the surface to take in atmospheric air. Young fish shelter among cover while adults patrol open water. The species tolerates a range of water conditions but needs clean, well-filtered water in captivity.

Good to know

Osphronemus laticlavius belongs to the family Osphronemidae and reaches around 50 cm in length. Adults develop striking red coloration in the fins and tail, which sets them apart from the plain giant gourami Osphronemus goramy. It is largely herbivorous despite its size.

Did you know

Because it is a voracious plant eater, live aquarium plants rarely survive in its tank.

Common questions

What size tank does a Giant red tail gourami need?

A Giant red tail gourami needs at least 264 gal (1,000 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Giant red tail gourami need?

A Giant red tail gourami is comfortable at 68–86°F (20–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

How big does a Giant red tail gourami get?

An adult Giant red tail gourami reaches about 19.7 in (50 cm).

Related species