Giant gourami (gold)

Osphronemus goramy is a massive labyrinth fish native to Southeast Asia and widely farmed and introduced across the tropics as a food fish. The gold form is a selectively bred colour variant of this giant gourami, which can exceed 50 cm and lives for many years, so it demands a very large aquarium or indoor pond. As an air-breather it must have access to the surface to gulp atmospheric air from its labyrinth organ. It is a hardy, intelligent omnivore that eats almost anything, from pellets and vegetables to fruit, worms, and smaller fish; a varied, plant-inclusive diet keeps it healthy. Young fish are relatively peaceful but adults become bold, territorial, and sometimes destructive, uprooting plants. Keep only with similarly large, robust tankmates. Its size, waste output, and longevity make it a serious long-term commitment.