The Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy) is a large brackish water or freshwater fish.

The Giant Gourami has pale to golden yellow scales with silvery, pale-blue stripes running vertically along its body. It has a rounded face and a hump above its eyes. It has thick lips. The female has thicker lips than the male.

Giant Gourami

It measures 45-70 centimetres (18-28 inches) in length.

The Giant Gourami is native to south-east Asia. It likes slow-moving rivers, lakes, and streams with freshwater or brackish water (slightly salty water). It can live out of water for a period of time.

It is herbivorous, eating algae. Sometimes, it eats worms and small shrimp.

Th Giant Gourami builds a nest using weeds and twigs. The female lays eggs and guards them from predators. The eggs hatch after one day.

Giant Gourami

Giant Gourami

Giant Gourami

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM