Giant gourami feeding guide Continue Giant Gurami Osphronemus goramy is a terrific fish when it gets big. In their natural habitat, the natives reported lengths of nearly 2 feet (60 cm). It was even suggested by Vierke (1978) that it could get as big as 2 1/3 feet (70 cm). Now it's one big gourmet! Fortunately, in captivity they are barely more than 16 inches (40 cm) and it is only a rare specimen that reaches about 18 inches (45 cm). But it's still a good size fish. It is the largest of all the labyrinthine fish, and in its native countries it is affectionately called Water Hogo. It is an active fish with a high metabolism and it eats a lot. They are believed to have originated in Java and possibly Sumatra, Borneo and other islands in the Malay archipelago, but their range today is much greater. They were introduced in a number of countries across southeast Asia where they fished and cultured as delicious fish food. They are also highly valued for use in public aquariums because of their size and ease of care. These fish are usually sold in sizes 1 1/2 - 3 inches (4 - 8 cm) in pet stores. When they are small, they have a pointed snout, a flat head and an attractive striped color. Minors have stripes of silver-blue/grey to black on a creamy and golden-yellow background. As they get older they free strips and turn the color of the fish in the photo above, or sometimes completely black. Adults develop a swollen forehead (especially males), as well as thick lips (more pronounced in females) and a thick chin. Other common names they are known for include Common Gurami and True Gourami. It is not difficult to keep the fish, but because of its size it will need a very large aquarium and therefore is usually kept by more experienced aquarists able to provide a larger environment. A juvenile can start in a 30 gallon tank, but an adult will need a minimum tank size of 200 gallons. If you keep it with other fish, an even larger tank is offered. A well-taken specimen will reach its full adult size in about 4 to 4 1/2 years. Although these gouramis will grow into a very large strong fish, they make a very representative pet. They recognize you, and some people even report the possibility of petting their fish. They can be stored in a community aquarium, but their temperament with tank mates is variable. They tend to be peaceful with other large fish and adults tend to only become aggressive its their tank is too small. Good tankmates include knifefish, large soma, and loricariid (plecostomus) sommas from South America. When raised and kept in adulthood they make their own tank. Therefore, it is important to understand that the fish they will grow will be fine, but the new additions run the risk of being killed. Since they are large and active, they will need minimal tank decorations. Decor includes dark substrate substrate of their color, a few pieces of driftwood or some rock, and some sturdy plants around the perimeter of the tank and floating on the surface. They eat plants, however, so they have to be a fast-growing species. With his great appetite it will put a heavy load on water and filtration. A weekly change of water of up to 50% is recommended and necessary. For information on freshwater fish conservation, see: Freshwater Aquarium Guide: Aquarium Setting and Care Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Osphronemidae Genus: Osphronemus Species: goramy Giant Gurami - Fast Aquarium CareAquarist Experience Level: Intermediate Fish Size 70.00 cm)Minimum tank size: 200 gal (757 L)Temperature: PeacefulAquarium Solidity: Moderately hardyTemperature: 68.0 to 86.0' F (20.0 to 30.0' C)Enter freshwater Aquarium - Enter your aquarium, to see If this fish is compatible! Habitat: Distribution / BackgroundThe Giant Gourmets Osphronemus Goramy was described by Lacep'de in 1801. They are believed to have originated from the Greater Sunda Islands in Java and possibly Sumatra, Borneo and other islands in the Malay archipelago. Their range today is much larger since they have been introduced to several countries for aquaculture purposes. In a number of countries, including Australia, they are commercially grown as food fish. They are also located in the Lower Mekong Basin: the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as the waters of China, Singapore and eastern India. They are considered an important and savoury food source. This gurami is one of the 4 currently recognized species of the genus Osphronemus. This genus is commonly called giant gouramis and they are all very similar in shape and very large. The giant red tail of Gurami O. laticlavius, which reaches a length of 20 inches (50 cm), can also sometimes be found in the aquarium trade. But only the elephant Ear Gurami O. exodoney hang with this view of the title of the largest maze of fish. Both reach nearly 2 feet (60 cm), but it was suggested by expert and author Jong Vierke (1978) that this species could get as big as 2 1/3 feet (70 cm), which would make him a champion in size. Other types of Osphronemus include: Elephant Ear Gurami Osphronemus exodon (Roberts, 1994) Giant red tail Gurami Osphronemus laticlavius (Roberts, 1992) Kala Sarawak, Giant Gurami Osphronemus septemfasciatus (Roberts, 1992) This species is the most accurate of the IUCN list as the least troubled (LC). The occurrence of this species is very widespread, it is widespread and there are no major problems identified. They are widespread, abundant and well adapted in all suitable habitats throughout the range. They are both wild caught and culturally used as popular fish food as well as aquarium species. Other common names they known to include Common Gurami and True Gourami. They are also sometimes referred to as the Golden Red Fish, which is problematic because it is also a common name for the ocean perch Sebastes norvegicus, although this fish is commonly called Pink Fish. This species is also sometimes referred to as common names commonly associated with other Gura, including Bandeda Gurami, Rainbow Gurami or Striped Gurami. They inhabit lowlands of medium and large rivers as well as lakes, and they will enter flooded forests during the rainy season. They are also found in stagnant water swamps and marshes, as well as in canals where water moves sluggishly. They were even found in brackish water. Their habitat is highly vegetated and they are opportunistic feeders who will consume both plant and animal substance. Their natural diet consists of aquatic animals, fish, frogs, earthworms, and sometimes even dead animals. Scientific title: Osphronemus goramySocial grouping: Solitary - This fish is mostly a loner. IUCN Red List: LC - Least concernDescriptionGigants Gurami sideways compressed with a deep bodily oval shape and blunt head. As juveniles their head is flat and spiky, but as adults they develop a nuchal hump, swollen handles or lump on their forehead, along with thick lips and a thick chin. The male's forehead is usually larger than that of a female, while the lips of the female are usually thicker than the two. Ventral fins are similar to filamentous fins. Like all other gouramis they have a special organ maze that allows them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters. This organ is part of the fish that allows it to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream, swallowing air on the surface of the water. In the wild they can reach almost 2 feet (60 cm) long, although in captivity they rarely grow more than 16 inches (40 cm). It was even proposed by Vierke (1978), however, that it can get as big as 2 1/3 feet (70 cm). They will be able to reproduce at the age of about 6 months when they have reached a length of about 4 3/4 inches (12 cm). It is a very long live fish with an average lifespan of more than 20 years with good care. Juveniles have yellow fins and 8 - 10 dark bars. The bars are silvery blue/grey to black on a golden-yellow background, giving them a striped look. The color disappears as they mature and they become quite plain, usually with brownish-black or even a common pinkish to white coloring. In recent years, painted varieties of giant gurami appear in a hobby. Many albino and transparent fish types make the perfect canvas for applying color to a fairly simple specimen. Color is added to the fish by different methods, but with this fish it is believed through the process involved in the death of the fish by injecting colored dye under the skin. Concerns about the initial stress and pain for the fish and then perhaps a higher susceptibility to infection during the process. It is also thought possible that this could shorten their life expectancy. As a consumer you want to be aware of these problems. The cumulative purchasing power of aquarists makes a difference in what is available. Fish size - inches: 27.6 inches (70.00 cm)Life expectancy: 20 years - The average lifespan of this long-lived fish is about 20 years, and up to 25 years with proper care. Fish Keeping DifficultyThis is a hardy fish and easy to keep, but because of their adult size they will require a large aquarium. They are undemandable and will accept a wide range of products, but are also active with an insatiable appetite.