Care
A popular food fish in its homeland, the Giant Gourami has a wide area of distribution. As such, is found in a variety of different habitats, including canals, lakes, marshes, rivers, swamps, and even bodies of stagnant water. Here, it lurks amongst aquatic vegetation, feeding on both plant and animal life, including frogs, insects, shrimps, smaller fish, and worms. This is a sizeable surface dweller, in terms of both length and weight, and kept under the right conditions, one which can live for two decades or more. An adult is going to require a voluminous aquarium, at least 2m long and 70cm wide, along with powerful filtration to match, so really is quite the commitment. Substrate choice is unimportant, but do provide several large shelters in the form of rocky caves and driftwood tangles, making sure that all structures are secure. All but the most robust of plants will be uprooted and eaten, although some aquarists have had a degree of success with mature Anubias sp. and Java Fern motherplants tied onto the decor, and tough-leaved floating species which will help diffuse the light. Otherwise, plastic or silk varieties could be used to create the illusion of a green and leafy aquascape. Provision should also be made for a roomy swimming space along the front of the aquarium, particularly the upper levels. Giant Gouramis are voracious eaters that produce a lot of waste and filtration must be powerful and the water well-oxygenated. Frequent partial water changes are essential to help keep nitrates to a minimum. Canister filters can be employed, but sump filtration may be better as then equipment such as heaters can be kept in the sump and out of the main tank where they would be easily damaged. The Giant Gourami regularly takes breaths of air, so a suitable gap should be left between the surface of the water and the coverslides at all times. This species is best maintained singly in all but the largest of aquaria, as adults will often show territorial aggression towards their own kind. Although generally quite peaceful with other species of similar size, the Giant Gourami should not be kept with fishes small enough to swalow as they may be eaten. Can be kept successfully alongside other sizeable, non-aggressive fish. There are reports of very aggressive rogue individuals, but this behaviour only tends to manifest if the fish is housed in quarters that are too cramped. ***Please note that Maidenhead Aquatics does not specifically order this species for our stores, but we do help to rehome the occasional specimen, hence why we are providing care information here. ***
Feeding
Offer a varied selection of meaty foods along with some fresh vegetable matter. Smaller specimens will take bloodworm, Mysis shrimp, chopped seafood etc. Larger specimens will enjoy earthworms, prawns, crab, crayfish etc. Most will also eat pellet foods.
Breeding
The Giant Gourami has been bred in the home aquarium. As this species is sexually mature from around 6 months of age, breeding can be attempted with relatively small sized pairs. The breeding tank should be spacious, with plenty of surface vegetation, and the temperature set to the higher end of the preferred range. The male fish will construct a bubble nest in amongst the floating plants, and when spawning is underway, the male fish will place the eggs in the nest. The female will be driven away fairly aggressively at this point, and it is best to move her to the safety of another aquarium. The eggs should hatch within 24-36 hours, with the fry becoming free-swimming some 3-5 days later. In the wild, the male has been observed guarding the fry for a further 2-3 weeks, but it may be prudent to move him to another aquarium when breeding in captivity. Once free-swimming, the fry can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and powdered flake first foods. Giant Gouramis always reproduce in large numbers. Therefore, it is important to have a homing plan in place for (potentially) hundreds, if not thousands, of juvenile fish (which are going to get very big) - as they can quickly overwhelm an aquarium.
