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Seven-banded giant gourami

Osphronemus septemfasciatus

Also known as Red kaloi, Giant red gourami, Sevenbar giant gourami

FreshwaterFish

Seven-banded giant gourami (Osphronemus septemfasciatus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
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
Very rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Endemic to Borneo, in the large slow rivers of Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan.

Overview

This is a monster fish that commonly reaches 50 cm and can grow larger, so it needs a very large aquarium of 1000 litres or more, realistically a heated indoor pond for adults. Keep it at 22 to 28 C with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and powerful filtration. It is mostly peaceful but becomes territorial in tight quarters, so pair it only with other large, sturdy fish. Feed an omnivorous mix of vegetables, pellets, and some meaty foods.

In the wild

Lives in the main channels of big, slow rivers, with juveniles also using larger tributaries. The water is often soft and tannin-stained where it flows through peat and forest. It is an obligate air-breather that must reach the surface to breathe. It grows into a genuinely huge fish.

Good to know

Osphronemus septemfasciatus is a giant gourami in the family Osphronemidae, named for the seven dark bars it keeps throughout life. Most sold are juveniles, but the species is recorded at over 70 cm and more than 20 kg in the wild. It is one of four recognized Osphronemus species.

Did you know

It keeps its seven body bands into adulthood, which is unusual since most giant gouramis fade to a plain color as they grow.

Common questions

What size tank does a Seven-banded giant gourami need?

A Seven-banded giant gourami needs at least 264 gal (1,000 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Seven-banded giant gourami need?

A Seven-banded giant gourami is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a Seven-banded giant gourami get?

An adult Seven-banded giant gourami reaches about 19.7 in (50 cm).

Related species