Red Tail Giant Gourami - Osphronemus laticlavius
Overview
The Red Tail Giant Gourami, scientifically known as Osphronemus laticlavius, is a captivating freshwater fish that is both admired for its striking appearance and cherished as a hardy pet. Native to Southeast Asia, particularly found in the waters of Borneo and Sumatra, this species is a favorite among aquarists due to its unique coloration and engaging personality.
Physical Characteristics
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Size: Red Tail Giant Gouramis are known for their impressive size, reaching up to 20 inches (50 cm) in length when fully grown.
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Coloration: This species is famous for its vibrant red tail, which contrasts beautifully with its silvery-white to grayish body. As they mature, some might develop a darker hue, adding to their allure.
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Body Shape: They possess a robust, oval-shaped body with a slightly compressed form, making them easily identifiable.
Habitat and Tank Requirements
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Natural Habitat: In the wild, these fish thrive in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and swamps with dense vegetation.
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Aquarium Size: A spacious tank is essential for accommodating their size and active nature, with a minimum recommended size of 200 gallons.
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Water Conditions:
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Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
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pH Level: 6.5-7.5
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Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
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Diet
Red Tail Giant Gouramis are omnivorous with a varied diet. They enjoy a mix of high-quality pellets, vegetables, and occasional live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms.
Behavior and Compatibility
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Temperament: Generally peaceful, these gouramis can be shy initially but will become more interactive as they grow comfortable in their environment.
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Tank Mates: Ideal companions include other large, peaceful fish. Avoid housing them with small fish species to prevent accidental bullying or predation.
Care and Maintenance
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Regular water changes and a robust filtration system are crucial to maintaining water quality.
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Provide ample hiding spots and plant coverage to mimic their natural habitat and reduce stress.
Lifespan
With proper care, a Red Tail Giant Gourami can live up to 20 years, offering aquarists a long-term companion that evolves in personality and appearance over time.
Giant Redtail Gouramis are truly pets that can thrive and live for many years. Some people have owned them for 20-30 years, so this is truly one fish that has a long lifespan!
Size is roughly about 2-3 inches for small.
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Red Tail Giant Gouramis
I purchased two for our aquarium club at school, and they arrived very healthy. After one night in a new tank, they spent the next day swimming near the front like they wanted to play. Thank you for having these hard-to-find fish in your inventory. They ar4e really hard to find in pet stores in the Chicago area.
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Amazing Fish
RTG arrived and look very healthy. I was losing hope that it wouldn't make it as it took 5 days to be delivered, but it survived. Overall, very positive experiences and would recommend buying again.
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RTGG
Great looking gourami, fast shipping in secure heated box. I highly recommend.
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Red Tail Giant Gourami
Have bought several of these beautiful fish from them, and they always arrive healthy and safely!!
