Giant Gourami

The body is massive, oval in shape, and strongly compressed sideways. Adults grow to 70 cm long, which is quite impressive. Young fish have a flat, pointed head, but as they mature, a noticeable bump develops on the forehead and the jaw becomes massive with large lips. Like other labyrinth fish, the ventral fins of the giant gourami are transformed into thread-like appendages equipped with sensory sensors. Coloration changes with age: young specimens display a pattern of 8–10 dark bars on a silvery-light background, and their fins have a yellow tint. Over time, adults gradually lose colour vibrancy, becoming solid white, pinkish, or grey. In recent years, artificial colouring of gouramis via injection and dye baths has become popular. However, these methods are condemned in many developed countries because they cause irreversible harm to the fish: they become vulnerable to various infections, their lifespan is significantly shortened, and some individuals die immediately after such procedures. Males and females can be distinguished by fin shape: males have more elongated and pointed dorsal and anal fins, and a larger forehead. Females have rounder fins and more pronounced lips.

Originally, the natural range of the giant gourami extended across the river systems of Southeast Asia, where this species has important commercial value to local people. For this same purpose, gouramis were introduced to water bodies on other continents, such as South America and Australia. In nature, they prefer medium and large rivers as well as lakes, moving into flooded forest areas during the rainy season. They are also found in swampy lowlands, canals, and brackish waters. Their diet is highly varied: they eat both plant and animal matter, including aquatic plants, fish, frogs, earthworms, and even carrion.

These fish can live well alone or as a male/female pair. Young specimens often show aggression toward one another, but this tends to soften with age. However, adult males may still display intolerance toward competitors, especially during spawning. Their large size and natural diet make it impossible to keep giant gouramis with small fish, which quickly become prey. Therefore, suitable tank mates are other large, calm, and peaceful species, though if space is limited (in a cramped tank), conflict is inevitable.

These fish can successfully adapt to a wide range of water parameters, so the two key factors are sufficient space (a large tank) and maintaining water cleanliness. The latter often poses difficulty because the giant gourami produces a significant amount of waste. To handle this load, you will need several powerful filters and a 25–50% water change each week. Other necessary equipment includes a lighting system, an air pump, and a heater; ensure they are securely mounted. This species is one of the few labyrinth fish able to tolerate brackish water at concentrations up to 2 grams of salt per 10 liters. Tank décor is up to you, but observe these conditions: provide plenty of open swimming space and several dense clumps of fast-growing plants, which will inevitably serve as an additional food source.

These fish readily accept all types of aquarium foods, both dry commercial and meat-based; only the quantities differ. Since this is a large fish, it requires appropriate portions. It is particularly important to note that if the fish is purchased as an adult (and they live quite long), you should confirm its usual diet; otherwise, it may refuse unfamiliar food. For example, if the fish originally fed exclusively on meat (worms, small fish, insects), switching it to dry food will be problematic, and keeping the giant gourami becomes quite expensive. The best approach is to acquire a young specimen and feed it according to your capabilities, since this fish is undemanding and will eat almost anything offered.

In theory, breeding these fish seems straightforward: they form pairs, build bubble nests where fry develop, and so on. However, the main difficulty arises from the required tank size—it must be very large, at least 700 liters. This is because after the fry appear, the male actively guards them and may attack even his own female, who needs plenty of space for refuge. A fully equipped tank of this size (with substrate and equipment) will weigh around a ton, and the ceilings and floors in standard apartments are not designed to withstand such loads.

In a well-balanced aquarium, health problems in these fish usually do not occur. The main causes of illness are inadequate feeding or lack of free space.

When choosing a giant gourami, give preference to young specimens, as they adapt more easily to aquarium conditions and diet. Inspect the fish carefully for fin damage, body ulcers, or signs of wasting. Avoid buying specimens with unnaturally bright coloration resulting from injections or dye baths, as such fish often have compromised health and a short lifespan. Note that giant gourami fry may superficially resemble other species, so it is important to verify correct species identification. At the shop, observe behaviour: a healthy fish should show activity and interest in food. Since this species grows to considerable size, evaluate in advance whether you can provide the necessary space in the future.