Anabantids
The Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy (Giant gourami) is another fish that is predominantly a food fish as it grows to a large size – 40 cm (16 in) being a good-sized aquarium fish. The largest specimen recorded, however, measured 1 metre (36 in). They are long-lived and you can expect a well-caredfor aquarium specimen to be around for 10-15 years or even longer. Taking this into account, it is important to be prepared to make this sort of commitment before you purchase one of the “dear little things” in the dealer’s tank. Those “little things” grow into “big things”, and quickly.
If it wasn’t for their size, they would make ideal fishes for beginners since they are tolerant of most water conditions, eat just about anything in the vegetable line (peas, banana, mango, cooked rice, and so on, as well as commercial foods) and don’t fight. This is probably why we see them in large community tanks in public aquaria. Couple that with the fact that many people try to give the fish away when it has outgrown its home aquarium, and you find that public aquaria are inundated with offers of these creatures. So, the message is: “think before you buy”. If you won’t be able to house it when it grows bigger, leave it in the dealer’s tank.