Giant red fin gourami - Osphronemus laticlavius

Scientific name: Osphronemus laticlavius

Common name: Giant red fin gourami

Family: Osphronemidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 40 - 50 cm (15.75 - 19.69 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.2 - 7.2

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 6 - 20°N (107.14 - 357.14ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: East Asia

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Origin

Asia; Giant red fin gouramis are to be found in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Osphronemus laticlavius can range up to 40 years.

Short description

Red fin Gourami will grow very large, up to 20 inches (50.80 cm) in length. The minimum tank size for these fish should be 100 gallons (~ 454 litres, 120 US gallons). They are classed as a peaceful species if given plenty of room in the aquarium, aggression may occur in overcrowded aquariums. Purchasing these fish is not a cheap affair as specimens can be hard to get hold of as commercial breeding has not yet been successful, expect to pay a good price if you do wish to keep these fish. As juveniles the Giant Red-fin Gourami may not display it s full colouration but as they mature they will display wonderful markings and as the common name depicts, they should also develop red edging to their fins with the main colouration of the finnage being a dark grey or even black in some cases. Like all larger species of fish they are high waste producers and demand high quality water parameters so make sure that you always use a suitable filtration system rated for the size of aquarium that you have, this will also need to be backed up with regular water changes- at least 10% on a weekly basis.

Food and feeding

Giant red fin gourami will accept all foods offered. Its staple diet should consist of quality pellets; the addition of vegetable matter should also be given. Lettuce and peas are ideal for this. They are classed as an herbivorous species so the vegetable matter is an important part of their diet.

Sexing

There are no physical differences between the sexes; however some keepers believe that the males are more colourful than the females.

Breeding

Like all gouramis it is known that these fish are bubble nest builders. Due to their recent addition to the aquariums, at present there are no reported cases of them breeding in captivity.

In the wild it is the male that will tend the nest after taking the eggs there, the female will be chased away at this point and the male will show no further interest in her.

The eggs should hatch after a couple of days and once free swimming they will accept newly hatched brine shrimp or crushed flake.