Giant Pikehead
Luciocephalus pulcher
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
Species profile
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
Common names: Giant Gourami, Giant Gouramy, Gouraml
Recognized speciesGouramis
Adult size
Up to 70 cm
Up to 70 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
Think carefully if
- You keep smaller fish, which it may eat
- You cannot provide about 681 litres for a fully grown fish
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A huge, long-lived fish that can reach 70 cm and live for over 20 years. Keep alone or in a small group in 681 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A huge, long-lived fish that can reach 70 cm and live for over 20 years. It is often sold as a cute juvenile with no warning about its adult size, and it can learn to recognise its owner.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes are often hard to tell apart.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 2,720–3,410 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 675–1025 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 681 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 183 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
This is an unusual fish with particular needs, so plan the tank around it. Check the adult size before you buy, and use a secure lid.
Behaviour and Tankmates
An unusual fish, kept for its looks and behaviour rather than as a community fish.
Varies by species, so see the notes.
Varies by species.
Choose tankmates with care, and check whether it will eat small fish, or be bullied by faster ones. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality pellets or flakeA good staple. Choose a size that fits its mouth.
- Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimpOffer several times a week for colour and condition.
- Algae or vegetable-based foodInclude some plant matter for balance.
Diet varies, so check what your fish accepts when you buy it.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Thailand
- Natural habitat
- River, Swamp
- Aquarium contexts
- Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Specialist
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Osphronemus
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Species group
- Fish, Gouramis
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Giant Red Tail Gourami
Osphronemus laticlavius
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 50 cm
- Minimum tank
- 648 litres
- Temperature
- 20–30 °C
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 4–5.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 55 litres
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Licorice Gourami
Parosphromenus deissneri
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 litres
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C