About two weeks ago, two I think, but am not positive Osphronemus goramy got dumped at the local Petsmart. They were totally beat to hell by something so the fish manager (who is far too good to be working at a Petsmart) called me and asked if I could take them and fix them up. So of course I did, and I had them in separate rehab tanks until yesterday.

Late yesterday morning, I moved both of them (they're both about 5 inches right now) into a 40g breeder with a bunch of fake plants and tubes to move and hide in. I had come back later on in the early evening to feed them to see that the one had gone and undid all the rehab that the other one went through. I thought that I could just get away with putting in a divider, and they would be fine, seeing as I just had to do it with two juvie snapping turtles. But oh no, somehow the bastard got through the divider and was picking on the other one again later on that evening.

So, the one that's tore up is now back in hospital tank land, and the bastard is alone in the 40. From what I've been reading on them they're supposed to be peaceful at least to the same size or larger fish. That said I haven't come across a whole ton of info on these guys either way, so who knows if that's right.

My current idea, is to try one of them in the tank with the two smaller pacu. The're bigger than the gourami, but I don't want my pacu getting beat on. Would a few convicts in as well be good for dithers? Has any of you all kept these guys before? Is it territorial? Attempted breeding?

The rod and reel record is 19 lbs. 10 oz. and 28 inches, largest taken by other means is 33 lbs. 1 oz. and 31 inches. They're a popular food fish in their native range in southeast Asia. I've never kept one simply because of size, anything that big that isn't a cichlid or catfish just has never appealed to me much, LOL.

Okay, the razzin' aside. Gouramis of any sort can be hard on each other, especially males on males. I've seen one of these guys, a good-sized one 'bout 18 inches long, in a tank with large cichlids and catfish. They all got along fine. I'd keep an eye on 'em at first, but I would think the gourami would be okay with the pacu, he's gonna grow up to be as big as them. As he get's larger, I'd definitely keep an eye out for aggression, the body shape between pacus and the giant gourami is similiar enough the gourami may confuse the pacu for rivals. Beyond that, saint, I really can't add much beyond what you can read.

WYite

I have not really kept them either but A friend of mine kept a couple. I would describe their behavior similar to Cichlids. This is due to size and compatibility. They are or have potential to be large fish, The larger the fish the more territory and tolerance needed. Anyway the can be territorial due to size and they definately are not wusses they may be labeled as peaceful but they are going to hold their ground and another male of equal size they are going top battle of top spot. Convict may be ok for dithers but IMO something a little smaller and less aggressive might be better. I think Gouramis are beautiful fish and can get along or keep their own with larger more aggressive fish.

Outside of the size, I think the other thing that surprised me was just how fugly they got as adults.

Right now I have a potential home for one this weekend funnily enough at a Chinese food place in their display tank. Nothing is going on with the beat up one right yet, so when it heals up again maybe I will try and see if that one will behave with the pacu. The fighting was very one sided when the two were in the tank, so maybe that one is just more mellow. Whatever the case, if it doesn't behave with the pacu it's going to have to go. Not that I know where, but I don't really have the room to set up another tank/tub/pond for one fish.

The uglier they are the more I like them!!!!

MC, If the pics are half accurate you'll love the adults.

The bastard is gone. He's now off living with a small handful of some of the biggest/fattest parrot fish I think I've ever seen in a 450 or maybe 500g tank.

The beat up one is acting healthy even if he isn't looking it, so if that keeps up I'll be trying him in with the "baby" pacu next weekend.

Hope it works out...