Giant Red Tail Gourami Fish - Profile | Care

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The Giant Red Tail Gourami, scientific name Osphronemus laticlavius is an attractive however very giant fish. It might develop as much as 20 inches (50 cm).In this article, I will give an overview of Giant Red Tail Gourami care, fish, the growth rate, for sale, size, tank size, etc.

Giant Red Tail Gourami facts

It’s a comparatively new addition to the aquarium pastime having solely been described in 1992, with a few of the first aquarium species displaying up around 2004.

It’s a lot wanted, however, remains to be slightly uncommon within the aquarium commerce.

However, for those who can acquire one, it makes a spectacular showpiece for the very giant group aquarium.

This fish is considered one of 4 large gourami species at the moment acknowledged in its genus.

It’s a barely smaller and extra colorful model of its shut cousin the Large Gourami or Widespread Gourami Osphronemus gouramy.

The O. gouramy was scientifically named way back in 1801, so it’s a significantly better-recognized aquarium specimen.

Additionally, it is the biggest gourami, reaching as much as 2 1/3 feet (70 cm).

This species is probably the most colorful of this small group of large gouramis. It’s a pure shade that may be fairly stunning.

It has great blue-green highlights to its physique and fins which might be trimmed in purple.

As a juvenile, the color is much less dramatic and the brilliant ornamental fins growing with age. However it’s a quick-rising species with a voracious urge for food, so its shade rapidly evolves.

Many fish species which might be purple, or partially purple, are thought about to be good luck by many Chinese languages so the demand for this purple finned large could be very excessive!

This species can also be generally referred to as the Giant Red Tail Gourami, Pink Flag Large Gourami, Giant Red Fin Goramy, and Pink Tail Gourami.

Giant Red Tail Gourami – Quick Aquarium Care

Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
Size of fish – inches: 20.0 inches (50.80 cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gal (681 L)
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Temperature: 68.0 to 86.0° F (20.0 to 30.0° C)

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Osphronemidae
Genus: Osphronemus
Species: laticlavius

Giant Red Tail Gourami as Aquarium fish

This can be a large fish that wants a really giant aquarium. Although not a tough fish to maintain, resulting from its dimension it’s usually stored by skilled aquarists that may present a big setting.

Keepers of this fish ought to plan on finally having a 180 gallon or bigger tank accessible to deal with them in.

They are often stored in a group setting however their temperament with tank mates is changeable.

As juveniles they can be slightly feisty however as adults they have an inclination to mellow out, often solely turning into aggressive as the tank is just too small.

They’ll often be peaceable with different giant strong fish. When raised and stored into adulthood they do “personal” their tank and often the fish they’re raised can be positive, however, new additions are prone to be killed.

These gouramis will develop into really giant, sturdy, and lively fish. To ensure they’ve loads of room to maneuver about, the decor ought to be minimal.

Just some items of a few items of driftwood or some easy rocks will present a way of safety.

Some sturdy crops across the perimeter of the tank and floating on the floor are additionally loved, however, they do eat crops so that they have to be quick-rising species.

With its giant urge for food, it would put a heavy load on the water and so a heavy responsibility filtration is really helpful, together with a weekly water change of as much as 50%.

Habitat: Distribution / Background

Giant Red Tail Gourami Osphronemus laticlavius was described by Roberts in 1992. They’re from southeastern Asia, present in Malaysia and Indonesia.

This species shouldn’t be listed on the IUCN Pink Record. This gourami is considered one of Four at the moment acknowledged species within the Osphronemus genus.

This genus is usually known as the large gouramis and all are very related in form and really giant. The opposite Osphronemus species embrace:

Large Gourami Osphronemus gouramy (Lacepède, 1801)
Elephant Ear Gourami Osphronemus exodon (Roberts, 1994)
Kaloi Sarawak, Large Gourami Osphronemus septemfasciatus (Roberts, 1992)

This species and the Kaloi Sarawak Large Gourami O.septemfasciatus each attain a size of 20 inches (50 cm) whereas the Large Gourami O. gouramy and the Elephant Ear Gourami O. exodoney are bigger.

The Large Gourami is the champion in dimension, as steered by professional and creator Jong Vierke (1978) it might get as giant as 2 1/3 feet (70 cm), whereas the Elephant Ear Gourami will attain virtually 2 toes (60 cm).

There’s an excessive demand for this fish in components of Asia and this helps to maintain the value excessively.

They’re thought-about a vital sport fish and a savored meals supply of their native international locations.

Their shut relative, the Large Gourami, is commercially produced in lots of components of tropical Asia so it’s hoped that the Giant Red-Tailed Gourami may also turn out to be commercially accessible as effectively.

Different common names it’s recognized by embracing Giant Red Tail Gourami, Pink Flag Large Gourami, Giant Red Tail Goramy, and Red Tail Gourami.

Just like the Large Gourami, they most likely inhabit rivers in addition to lakes and will enter flooded forests throughout the moist season.

A majority of these fish are additionally discovered within the stagnant water of swamps and marshlands in addition to in canals the place the water strikes sluggishly.

Their habitats are closely vegetated and they’re opportunistic feeders that can eat each plant and animal matter.

Their pure food plan consists of aquatic weeds, fish, frogs, earthworms, and typically even useless animals.

Scientific Identify: Osphronemus laticlavius
Social Grouping: Solitary – This fish is usually a loner.
IUCN Pink Record: NE – Not Evaluated or not listed

Giant Red Tail Gourami Description

The Giant Red Tail Tail Gourami is laterally compressed with a deep oval-formed physique and a blunt head.

As adults, they develop a ‘nuchal hump’, a swollen knob, or lump on the brow. Like all different gouramis, they have got a particular ‘labyrinth organ’ which permits them to outlive in oxygen-depleted waters.

This organ is part of the fish which permits it to soak up atmospheric oxygen straight into the bloodstream by gulping air on the floor of the water.

Juveniles have a steely blue-grey to black shade. As they mature they develop great blue-green highlights and fins which might be trimmed in purple.

They attain 20 inches (50 cm) in size and are very long-lived fish, with a median lifespan of over 20 years with excellent care.

The dimension of fish – inches: 20.Zero inches (50.80 cm)

Lifespan: 20 years – The typical lifespan of this long-lived fish is about 20 years, and as much as 25 years or extra with correct care.

Fish Conserving Problem

They’re hardy fish however they develop giant, in order adults they may want a really giant aquarium.

With the dimensions and upkeep required for this fish, they’re steered for skilled fish keepers.

They’re undemanding and can settle for all kinds of meals, however are additionally lively with a voracious urge for food.

They’ll eat virtually any freshwater aquarium meals if skilled to take action at an early age.

They will reside as much as 20+ years, so it takes a long-run dedication to deal with this fish. These fish are very well worth the time and power wanted to maintain them wholesome as they have got a pleasant character in the direction of their keepers, a trait not seen in lots of fish.

Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy – This species could be very strong nevertheless the tank necessities imply numerous work and dedication on the aquarist’s half.

Aquarist Expertise Stage: Intermediate – This fish requires a really giant tank so is recommended for extra skilled aquarists.Temperament

Semi-aggressive – Though usually a peaceable species, they tend to be territorial and are will not be reliably light with extra delicate tank mates.

Suitable with

Similar species – conspecifics: Sure – Might be stored singly or in pairs. Teams are doable with a big sufficient aquarium. Males are territorial and can tussle amongst themselves, and turn out to be aggressive when breeding.

Peaceable fish (): Monitor – Though the fish is mostly peaceable, very small tankmates could also be eaten.
Semi-Aggressive (): Monitor
Aggressive (): Threat
Large Semi-Aggressive (): Monitor
Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Threat
Sluggish Swimmers & Eaters (): Monitor
Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Threat – is aggressive
Plants: Threat

Meals and Feeding

The Giant Red Tail Gourami are omnivores. Within the wild, they may eat aquatic algae in addition to fish, crustaceans, frogs, worms, and even useless meat.

In captivity, it would usually eat every kind of meal.

To maintain excellent stability supply top-quality flake or pelleted meals on a regular basis.

Apart from common fish meals, they may even eat cooked meat, bread, boiled potatoes, and different greens.

Provide beef coronary heart or other meat from mammals hardly ever, as they aren’t capable of correctly digest these meals.

Feed brine shrimp (both reside or frozen) or blood worms as a deal with.

It’s will not be a really choosy eater and though it may be a voracious predator, this fish will eat virtually any freshwater aquarium meals whether it is skilled to take action at an early age.

If they’re primarily fed reside fish, your meal payments can be very excessive so it’s steered that you simply begin to practice them on the dried meals as quickly as they’re obtained.

Typically feed a few times a day.

Diet Type

Omnivore – Specimens could have to be taught to simply accept processed meals and it is suggested that the fish keeper start this as quickly because the fish is acquired.

Flake Meals: Sure
Pill / Pellet: Sure
Stay meals (fishes, shrimps, worms): A few of diet
Vegetable Meals: A few of diet
Meaty Meals: A few of diet
Feeding Frequency: A number of feedings per day – Typically feed a few times a day.

Aquarium Care

These gouramis are large fish that put a big bio load on the aquarium, so want ample filtration.

They’re extraordinarily hardy fish and although the labyrinth organ permits the fish to outlive in oxygen-depleted water, it’s a widespread false impression that this makes water adjustments pointless.

That is hardly the case as these fish will undergo the same tissue injury from constructed-up toxins as other fish.

Common water adjustments are a should with 25 – 50% weekly being really helpful.

Water Modifications: Weekly – Weekly water adjustments of 25 – 50% are really helpful.

Aquarium Setup

The Giant Red Tail Gourami will swim in all components of the aquarium.

These fish develop giant in order adults they may want a really giant aquarium, 180 gallons or bigger is really helpful.

They’re hardy and fairly illness resistant, so can deal with a wide range of water situations.

However they want clear water, so you’ll want to have an excellent filtration system with an average water stream, and do giant weekly water adjustments, with 25% or extra being affordable.

These gouramis will present their colors finest on a darkish substrate. As they’re giant and lively, they may want minimal tank decorations.

The tank ought to be adorned in a method that permits its unobstructed motion.

These fish wish to have areas to cover which could be supplied with a number of easy rock buildings and bogwood.

Offering crops alongside the parameter of sides and again of the aquarium are additionally good.

They’ll take pleasure in thick areas of floating crops too however they may feed on the crops, so use quick rising species.

Minimal Tank Dimension: 180 gal (681 L)
Appropriate for Nano Tank: No
Substrate Sort: Any
Lighting Wants: Reasonable – regular lighting
Temperature: 68.Zero to 86.0° F (20.Zero to 30.0° C) – Preserve the encircling room temperature in keeping with the water temperature to keep away from inflicting trauma to the labyrinth organ.
Vary ph: 6.2-8.0
Hardness Vary: 5 – 25 dGH
Brackish: No
Water Motion: Reasonable
Water Area: All – They’ll swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors

The Giant Red Tail Gourami are usually a peaceable fish, however, there could be exceptions to this rule.

Often a big male can turn out to be very territorial and can assault different fish of their tank.

It’s best for those who plan which species you need in your tank from the very beginning and acquire all of them at or close to the identical time.

More often than not, fish that might be usually thought-about suitable will get alongside higher if they’re raised collectively.

Their dimension and pure food plan will enable them to eat smaller fish, so be careful about any smaller tankmates.

Generally although, predatory fish which might be by no means fed any reside fish, will develop up not realizing that different fish ought to be thought-about dinner.

There are studies of giant-sized Large Gouramis dwelling peacefully with giant barbs, small tetras, or danios.

They are often stored in a group aquarium and are often peaceable with different giant fish. Adults will often solely turn out to be aggressive in their tank is just too small.

Good tankmates embrace knife fish, giant catfish, and the loricariid (plecostomus) catfish from South America.

When raised and stored into maturity they do “personal” their tank. So it is vital to comprehend that the fish they’re raised can be positive, however, new additions are prone to be killed.

Fish Ailments

Giant Red Tail Gouramis are very hardy so illness shouldn’t be often an issue in an effectively maintained aquarium.

Some illnesses they’re liable to are bacterial infections, constipation, and Gap within the Head if good water high quality, vitamin, and upkeep shouldn’t be supplied.

With any additions to a tank equivalent to new fish, crops, substrates, and decorations there’s a danger of introducing illness.

It is advisable to correctly clear or quarantine something that you really want to add to a longtime tank previous to the introduction, in order to not upset the stability.

These fish are very resilient however realizing the indicators of sickness, and catching and treating them early makes an enormous distinction.

An outbreak of illness can typically be restricted to only one or a number of fishes for those who take care of it at an early stage.

The easiest way to proactively forestall illness is to offer your fish the right setting and an effectively balanced food plan.

The nearer to their pure habitat the much less stress the fish can have, making them more healthy and pleased.

A careworn fish will is extra more likely to purchase illness. For details about freshwater fish illnesses and sicknesses, see Aquarium Fish Ailments and Remedies.

Intercourse: Sexual variations

There actually isn’t a lot of distinction between men and women nevertheless the males could also be rather more colorful than the females.

Breeding / Reproduction

The Giant Red Tail Gourami haven’t but been bred in captivity. Like most fish on this family, they’re bubble nest builders and presumably will breed in a fashion like their shut relative, the Large Gourami.

For that gourami, breeding itself is comparatively simple however a tough activity to carry out within the aquarium.

The Large Gourami male will construct a ball-shaped nest out of bits of crops slightly below the floor of the water.

Offering a breeding tank that’s large sufficient for these enormous fish is probably the most important problem.

It helps that they attain maturity and are capable of breed at about 6 months of age, at a size of about Four 3/4 inches (12 cm).

However, they may nonetheless require a really giant breeding tank.

Within the wild, the male Large Gourami will construct a ball-shaped nest out of bits of crops slightly below the floor of the water.

They differ in dimension however are sometimes about 16″ (40 cm) extensive and 12″ (30 cm) deep.

A round entrance, about 4″ (10 cm) throughout, at all times level towards the place the water is deepest.

The nests are largely constructed in April and Could, although spawning takes place all year long. The male will take 8 to 10 days to assemble his nest, anchoring it to reed stems at between 6 – 10″ (15-25 cm) beneath the floor.

The spawn of the Large Gourami will end in about 1,500 to three,000 eggs being launch. Their eggs in addition to the fry, are lighter than water and float to the highest.

The male will collect the eggs in his mouth and place them in his nest. The eggs hatch in about 40 hours and the male will guard the offspring for about 14 days after the spawn.

Availability

The Giant Red Tail Gourami are nonetheless comparatively uncommon within the aquarium commerce.

Specimens could sometimes be accessible in pet shops or online, however can be comparatively costly.

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