Giant gourami
- Thread starter Rodders02
- Start date
My RTGG, when young, was in a bustling, turbulent and well oxygenated com tank. I wondered why she used to gulp air when the water was oxygen rich so i did a bit of research which helped me understand. Unfortunately for the gourami family their gills aren't as efficient at extracting oxygen from water as most fish so evolution give them a labyrinth which allows them to breath air from the surface and send oxygen straight to the blood stream, a back up if you like. They are whats known as obligate breathers and gourami are just one of many many species of fish that do this. How long they can last out of water i dont know, i'm guessing longer than most fish as long as they remain moist. If you want proper detailled information there's an abundance on line if you search.
The easiest way to distinguish between male and female is usually the dorsal fin. On the male it has a more pointed end whereas the females will be more rounded. This "pointy" or "rounded" trait seems to follow the giant gourami from very young to mature so no matter how young or old your fish is you should be able to use this method to successfully sex it. At breeding time there are noticeable differences too.
I wouldn't like to stick my neck out and say really. It's not a particularly clear picture and the angle it's taken from doesn't make it conclusive. A few clear side on pictures would make it easier.