Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Suborder Anabantoidei ( Anabantoidei )
Family Osphronemidae ( Osphronemidae )
Subfamily ( Osphroneminae )
Genus True, Giant Gouramis — Osphronemus.
— Giant Gourami, Osphronemus — Osphronemus goramy [Lacepede, 1801]. Synonym: Osphronemus natafus, olfax, satyrus. (Eng. – Giant Gourami). Natural habitat includes rivers, lakes, and swamps of Southeast Asia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sumatra, Thailand, and Vietnam. 60 cm, in aquarium 40-50 cm. Features a high and relatively narrow, oval body. The dorsal and large, rounded anal fins are shifted closer to the tail.
Ventral fins are heavily elongated, similar to the thread-like pelvic fins of other gourami species. Over the years, the lips of the gourami become thicker, and a characteristic growth develops on the head, the so-called nuchal hump. The body is beige-silver with a greenish tinge and rare black spots. Young fish are reddish-brown with dark vertical bars, and the scales and fins have a reddish-brown, golden hue.
Forms ranging from pale yellow to golden exist, as well as black-ash with reddish fins. At 3-4 years of age, their coloration darkens until it gradually becomes gray. The white form of this species is also quite common. In males, the tips of the dorsal and anal fins are elongated; in females, they are rounded.
Males have a more powerful and elongated snout, while females have a more rounded one, an enlarged nuchal hump, and a more massive lower lip that swells even more during the spawning period. As the fish ages, it becomes less attractive. Recently, dyed varieties of this species have appeared on the market; you should not buy them, as injecting artificial colorants under the skin leads to disease and death.
Due to rapid growth and large size, they can only be kept in very large aquariums starting from 400 liters, while adults require 800 liters. Provide hiding spots using securely anchored large rocks and driftwood. Rocks for aquarium decoration must be firmly secured at the bottom, and driftwood should be free of any sharp, protruding branches. However, using live plants is completely pointless, as they will be destroyed in a very short time. Floating plants are preferable, though they may also be eaten. These gouramis can live in standard home tanks of large sizes only while they are very young.
A single young specimen is suitable for a community aquarium, but multiple specimens will in most cases engage in severe fights. While they are relatively tolerant of each other when young, upon reaching adulthood they become true tyrants, especially males. Grown specimens are more tolerant of other species than of their own kind. Therefore, suitable tank mates include most fish species larger than the gourami’s mouth diameter. Tank mates should be active and large. Large cichlids, catfish, knifefish, as well as loaches, arowanas, stingrays, and silver dollars (Metynnis) are suitable.
Powerful and efficient filtration is mandatory, as these are exceptionally large and messy fish. If the ammonia level in the water becomes too high at any point, gouramis can easily get chemical burns on their eye mucous membranes, leading to blindness. Their diet consists of aquatic and terrestrial plants as well as animal matter; overall, they are omnivorous fish that eat all vegetation. Gouramis grab food with a characteristic smacking sound. Large pieces are swallowed not immediately, but on the second or third attempt. With good feeding, they grow rapidly, reaching 15 cm in half a year, and 20-50 cm by 2 years of age (depending on the tank capacity).
They mature by 3 years of age and can reproduce up to 7 years. The male builds a bubble nest made of air bubbles glued with saliva (often mixed with floating plants and debris) exceeding a meter across, while the female hides in shelters. If shelters are insufficient, the male may beat her to death. Incredibly hardy, long-lived fish living up to 15-20 years. pH 6.5-8.0; dH 4-20°; T 24-28°C.
— Red-finned gourami — Osphronemus laticlavius [Roberts, 1992]. (Eng. – Red Finned, Giant Redtailed Gourami). Found in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. 40-50 cm. It could be described as a more colorful copy of the common giant gourami. The body ranges from bluish-green to nearly black, the back is darker, and the belly is light. Unpaired fins are very long, edged with red. The caudal fin is red and very large. There is a dark spot on the caudal peduncle. Males are more brightly colored than females. Adult males feature a nuchal bump. The older they get, the more interesting they look, especially males due to the fatty deposits on their heads.
The aquarium must be very large. Aggressive towards smaller fish, extremely territorial. During feeding, they may chase away other fish with body slams. Tank mates should be active and large. Peaceful, occupying the middle water layers. Water should be neutral or slightly acidic; they adapt with difficulty to more alkaline environments. Powerful and efficient filtration is mandatory since these are exceptionally large and messy fish. Herbivorous, so plants will be destroyed. Gouramis are completely omnivorous, require large foods, and have an unquenchable appetite. They grow very rapidly. Live up to 20 years. pH 6.2-7.2; dH 6-20°; T 22-28°C.
Identification: Genus True Gouramis — Osphronemus.
Belontia hasselti, Belontia signata.
Helostoma temminkii, Kissing Gourami. 
