Giant gourami Giant gourami The giant gourami ("Osphronemus goramy") is a species of large gourami native to Southeast Asia, with its occurrence in other locations due to introductions. They are native to Chao Phraya and Mekong basin in mainland Southeast Asia, and also rivers of Borneo, Java and Sumatra. This species is commercially important as a food fish and is also farmed. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. The species has also been used for weed control, as it can be a voracious herbivore. It lives in fresh or brackish water, particularly slow-moving areas such as swamps, lakes, and
Giant gourami large rivers. It is capable of breathing moist air, so can survive out of water for long periods. It is much larger than most gouramis, growing to a maximum length of , though most are only around . In colour, it is a pale to golden yellow, with silvery, pale blue stripes running vertically along its body. Females can be identified by their thicker lips. Giant gouramis build nests using weeds and twigs. The giant gourami is also popular in aquaria. Preferably, the tank should have a dark bottom, and densely planted edges, with room left in the center of