Builds a large nest of plant material (grasses and roots in the wild), not a bubble nest. The male guards the eggs and young; remove the female after spawning.
Raise a group of young fish and let them pair up. Sexing is hard until they are mature.
A very large tank or pond, 500+ gallons (2000 L) for adults. Add plants, floating hiding places and a warm space of 26-28 C.
Warm, stable water and rich food. Adults build a big nest of plant material in pond edges.
About 2,000-2,650 eggs per nest (one farmed strain); eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and the male guards them for 2-3 weeks in the wild.
Feed zooplankton and baby brine shrimp, then crushed pellets. Fry grow fast in ponds. Separate sizes often.
One breeding tank for the giant gourami, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 26–28 °C · pH 6.5–8
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 70 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A row of tanks on their own stands for breeding the giant gourami in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 10,000 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Males develop pointed dorsal and anal fins and darken, nearly black, when spawning. The hump on the forehead develops in mature fish and is not a reliable sign of sex.
Typical for bubble-nest builders
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.