|
|
|
LABYRINTH FISH
OSPHRONEMIDAE FAMILY
The Osphronemidae Family consists of the genus
Osphronemus
and inhabits Southeast Asia and Australia.
Common Gourami, Giant Gourami, Gourami, True Gourami
[
Pictures
]
Osphronemus goramy
SYN
:
Osphronemusgourami, O. gourami, O. olfax, O. notatus
PD
: A large, laterally compressed fish with an oval-shaped body. Young fish have a pointed head, while older individuals have a small, blunt head. The pelvic fins are long and thread-like, and the anal and dorsal fins are located on the rear part of the body. Young fish are reddish brown to dull orange with a number of brown,transverse bands. The fins are orange. As the fish gets older, it becomes less attractive and loses its handsome stripes. Adults have a dark brown back and brown flanks covered with iridescent silver scales. The fins are also brown.
SIZE
: To 28" (71 cm)
SS
: Young fish resemble the Chocolate Gourami.
HAB
: Originally from Java and Sumatra, although, now imported from throughout Southeast Asia and Australia where it has been introduced as a food fish.
S
: All
TANK
: A 40" (101 cm), 45-55 gallon (170-209 L) tank is sufficient for small specimen measuring up to 8" (20 cm) in length. Be aware that this species does not stop growing at this size and constantly requires a larger tank. For instance, a 60" (152 cm) tank with a capacity of 90-110 gallons (342-416 L) will only house a specimen to 15" (38 cm). In any case, the tank should be well-planted with a cover of floating plants. Provide retreats with large rocks and pieces of wood. Use a large filtration system, as a fish of this size produces a great deal of waste.
WATER
: pH 6-8 (7.0), 5-25°dH (10), 68-86°F (20-30°C)
SB
: While small this species can be combined with most other medium-sized community fish. It grows quickly and gradually smaller tank mates may disappear. When the Giant Gourami reaches this stage, it is best combined with other large, peaceful fish.
SC
:
Leporinus,Anostomus, Botia, Helostoma
, Silver Dollars, Knifefish, Loricarids,
Scleropages.
FOOD
: Pellets; tablets; oatmeal; vegetables; lettuce, spinach; live; fish, earthworms,larger crustaceans; aquatic insects; flakes.
SEX
: The dorsal and anal fins of the male are pointed.
B
: Fairly easy in a large, well-planted tank. Fish are sexually mature at 6 months. A large nest is built near the surface, out of grasses, plants, and roots. The large eggs are laid near the nest and are maneuvered there by the male. The male cares for the eggs and may chase off the female. The eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and the fry are free-swimming after 3-5 days. The male continues to guard them for 14-21 days, until the young are able to fend for themselves. Start feeding with newly hatched
Artemia
nauplii and powdered flake foods.
BP
: 7. This prolific species is easily bred, the only catch being that a large tank is needed.
R
: A major food fish, that was introduced throughout Southeast Asia and Australia to stock ponds and lakes. A golden color variant exists. These fish can live a long time- one individual was reportedly 20 years old.
DC
: 6. This robust species is easily cared for in a large tank.
Species Index
|
Fish Home
|
Rainforests
|
|
|
|
Recent news
Governments, public failing to save world's species
(11/04/2009)
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) 2008 report, released yesterday, 36 percent of the total species evaluated by the organization are threatened with extinction. If one adds the species classified as Near Threatened, the percentage jumps to 44 percent—nearly half.
Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned internationally: ICCAT scientists
(10/29/2009)
Scientists with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) have said in a new report that a global ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing is justified. ICCAT meets in November to decide if they will follow their scientist's recommendations.
The Yangtze River may have lost another inhabitant: the Chinese paddlefish
(10/22/2009)
In December of 2006 it was announced that the Yangtze River dolphin, commonly known as the baiji, had succumbed to extinction. The dolphin had survived on earth for 20 million years, but the species couldn't survive the combined onslaught of pollution, habitat loss, boat traffic, entanglement in fishing hooks, death from illegal electric fishing, and the construction of several massive dams. Now, another flagship species of the Yangtze River appears to have vanished.
Freshwater species worse off than land or marine
(10/15/2009)
Scientists have announced that freshwater species are likely the most threatened on earth. Extinction rates for freshwater inhabitants are currently four to six times the rates for terrestrial and marine species. Yet, these figures have not lead to action on the ground.
New species of ghostshark discovered off California's coast
(09/22/2009)
The discovery of Eastern Pacific black ghostshark Hydrolagus melanophasma is notable for a number of reasons. It is the first new species of cartilaginous fish—i.e fish whose skeletons are made entirely of cartilage, such as sharks, rays, and skate—to be described in California water since 1947. It is also a representative of an ancient and little-known group of fish.
Photos: new deep sea species discovered off the Canary Islands
(09/21/2009)
Owned by Spain, but located just off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands sport a wide variety of marine life, including five species of marine turtles, ten species of sharks and rays, and innumerable fish and invertebrates. However, a new expedition has gone beyond the known, sending a robot to depths of 500 meters to discover the secrets of the Canary Island's deep sea.
|
|