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Giant Red Tail Gourami

Giant Red Finned Gourami ~ Red Flag Giant Gourami

Family: OsphronemidaeOsphronemus laticlavius

   The Giant Red Tail Gourami, one of only three species in this genus, is definitely the most attractive of these very large fish!

   The Giant Red Tailed Gourami is a slightly smaller, more colorful version of its cousin, the true Giant Gourami,  Osphronemus gouramy.

   This large fish is a relatively new addition to the aquarium hobby. More colorful than its close relative the Giant Gourami, this species natural color can be quite beautiful. It has wonderful blue-green highlights and fins that are trimmed in red. With a maximum size of near to 20 inches, keepers of this fish should plan on eventually having a 100 gallon or larger tank available to house them in.

   Many fish that are red or partially red are considered to be good luck by many Chinese so the demand for this red finned giant is very high!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   Giant Red Tail Gourami are from southeastern Asia, found in Northern Borneo. This impressive fish was first described by Roberts in 1992. These fish are not endangered.

• Scientific Name: Osphronemus laticlavius
• Social Grouping: Solitary - Best kept in a species aquarium or with other large fish that it has been raised with to minimuze aggression.
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The Giant Red Tail Gourami has a compressed, oval shaped body and a blunt head. More colorful than its close relative the Giant Gourami, this species natural color can be quite beautiful. It has wonderful blue-green highlights and fins that are trimmed in red. Mature males will develop a 'nuchal hump', a swollen knob or lump on the forehead

   Like all other gouramis they can breath air, generally gulping it at the water's surface. They have a special 'labyrinth organ' which acts like a lung which enables them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters.

• Maximum Size: 20.0 inches (50.80 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

They are hardy fish, but they grow large, so as adults they will need a very large aquarium. They will eat almost any freshwater aquarium foods if it is trained to do so at an early age. If they are mainly fed live fish, your food bills will be very high so it is suggested that you start to train them on the dried foods as soon as they are obtained.

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced - Although this fish is moderately hardy, the special requirements of such a large species disqualify it for care by all but the most researched and committed of aquarists.

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivores, the Giant Red Tail Gourami will generally eat all kinds of foods. Although it can be a voracious predator, this fish will eat almost any freshwater aquarium foods if it is trained to do so at an early age. If they are mainly fed live fish, your food bills will be very high so it is suggested that you start to train them on the dried foods as soon as they are obtained.
   Sometimes, predatory fish that are never fed any live fish will grow up not knowing that other fish should be considered dinner. There are reports of large sized Giant Gouramis living peacefully with small tetras or danios.
   These fish grow large so as adults they will need a very large aquarium, 100 gallons or larger is recommended. You will also want to be sure to have a good filtration system and do large weekly water changes, with 25% or more being reasonable. As they are large and active, they will need minimal tank decorations.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

Due to their size, make sure you have good filtration and do weekly water changes!

• Water Changes: Weekly - Due to their size, make sure you have good filtration and do weekly water changes.

Aquarium Setup

These fish grow large so as adults they will need a very large aquarium, 100 gallons or larger is recommended. You will also want to be sure to have a good filtration system and do large weekly water changes, with 25% or more being reasonable. As they are large and active, they will need minimal tank decorations.

• Minimum Tank Size: 200 gal (757 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 72.0 - 82.0° F (22.2 - 27.8° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
• Range ph: 6.2-7.8
• Hardness Range: 5 - 25 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: All

Social Behaviors

   The Giant Red Tail Gourami are generally a peaceful fish, but there can be exceptions to this rule. Occasionally a large male can become very territorial and will attack other fish in their tank. It is best if you plan which species you want in your tank from the very start and obtain them all at or near the same time. Most of the time, fish that are generally considered compatible will get along better if they are raised together.

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive - Although generally a peaceful species, they have a tendency to be territorial and are are not reliably gentle with more delicate tankmates.
• Same species - conspecifics: Sometimes
• Peaceful fish (): Threat
• Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
• Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Safe

Sex: Sexual differences

   The Giant Red Tail Gourami males are much more colorful than the females.

Breeding / Reproduction

  The Giant Red Tail Gourami have not yet been bred in captivity. Like most fish in this family, the gourami are bubble nest builders. Their close relative, the Giant Gourami male, will build a ball-shaped nest out of bits of plants just below the surface of the water. Their eggs as well as the fry, are lighter than water and float to the top. See the description of how to breed labyrinth fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

• Ease of Breeding: Unknown

Availability

   The Giant Red Tail Gourami are relatively rare. Specimens will be about $40.00 USD and up.
   There is a high demand for this fish in parts of Asia and this helps to keep the price high. Their close relative, Giant Gourami, is commercially produced in many parts of tropical Asia so it is hoped that someone there will soon be able to spawn the Giant Red Tailed Gourami.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: Ken Childs
Edited by Animal-World

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Lastest Comments on Giant Red Tail Gourami View all 4 comments on Giant Red Tail Gourami Add Your Comment

Simon LEE - 2006-07-19 Hi to all giant red tail gourami keepers. i have keep this fish for 4 years. He likes to eat dried shrimp and pellets as well. Easy to keep if compared to an arowana. He can recognized his master after you keep it for some time. He likes to play much. Ashley Matherne - 2010-02-25 How large has your red tail gourami grown in 4 years zali - 2010-06-27 I'd also like to share, we have few fish pools (300ft length on each pool)back at my inlaw's home.We breed Koi, Talapia, Giant gourami etc. We have estimated more than 30 of both black and red Giant Gourami (weighing 2-7kilos). Reply

Kushan - 2010-05-18 How to identify the Red fin giants from the other types of giant gouramis, when they are young? They do not show the red colour when they are young! And how could we identify the sex of the Giant gourami's.? Is the method of colour intensity work always? Reply

HP - 2006-05-08 This fish is definitely making a comeback in the Malaysia. This fish will develop its coloration based on the background color. If the aquarium background is dark, the red coloration at the edge of the fin looks brilliant but the fish overall coloration is dark and looks purplish black. On the other hand if the background is white, the fish will look brownish and the red marking is not so prominant as a dark background. This fish is bred in captivity and coloration depends very much on the feed, to see the coloration in full, ideally the aquarium should have a very dark background and color enhancing light will help show off the colouration of the male fish. This fish are also very agressive and when challenged will normally confront the intruder. Get them used to your glass taping and they will normally follow your finger as you move along the aquarium. A well, a trained fish is not only adorable but a prize possesion Reply

HP - 2006-04-11 There seems to be two different type of Red tail gourami in the asian market now, one is called purple red, this I believed is breed locally, the other is the taiwanese strain of red tail gourami, this fish have got very white base. Both are of the same strain, I believed the lighter colour strain are from selective breeding, in the wild they are much darker base. The first batch that was brought in from Sabah,( about 15 years back) are caught using fishing tackle, and they will normally regurgitate out the fishing hook after a week in captivity. Now they are being bred in captivity in hatchery within Malaysia. That all I have to share for now. Reply

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