Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: |
Animalia |
|
| Phylum: |
Chordata |
| Class: |
Actinopterygii |
| Order: |
Perciformes |
| Family: |
|
| Genus: |
Osphronemus |
| Species: |
Osphronemus goramy |
|
Facts & Figures
Common name: |
Giant gourami |
|
Local Thai Name: |
Pla Let |
|
Max published weight: |
70cm SL – 8.0 Kg |
|
Environment: |
Benthopelagic, freshwater, brackish water |
|
Status: |
Native |
|
| |
|
|
Giant Gourami -Osphronemus goramy |
Freshwater Fish Species Of Thailand
The giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy) is a freshwater fish species in the threadfins family (family Polynemidae) of order Perciformes (perch-likes), native to the Mekong River & Chao Phraya river basins in Thailand.
Natural Food Source
The giant gourami is a herbivorous fish primarily feeding on plant life, detritus, zoobenthos & insects.
Giant Gourami Identification
Giant gourami are easily identified by a few clear features. The head is clearly concave leading to a superior up-turned mouth. The body is short & deep with a flat, compressed width\cross-section. The pelivic fin's first ray has a long tentacle reaching past the caudal fin which is clearly rounded. Colourations vary greatly, however generally the scales are bronze\golden in colour and poses irregular black spots & markings over it's head and part of the body.
Giant Gourami Fishing Thailand
Shadow Lake and Khao Laem Dam are 2 other Fish Thailand venues which are also home to the giant gourami; however the best venue to specifically target this fish specie of Thailand is Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok.
Here the giant gourami grows huge and although tricky to tempt, with a little patience and by fishing quietly around the marginal areas of the lake - it is likely that you will catch one. Bread, worms and sweetcorn are all great baits for this fish and best fished free-lined or beneath a float for best results.
© Copyright 2006 by Eddie Mounce.
All rights reserved
TAT Licence No. 11/3447
Fish (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
