An Encounter with A Giant Gourami Fish in Al Nahda, Dubai

Large, playful and a true attention grabber was this fish named Goura

Goura is a 14-year old Asiatic Giant Gourami (Smile!)

Goura posing and showing his other side

Goura enjoyed the attention and swam blissfully with his goldfish buddies

It was during a site inspection and product trial, that the facility's Security Officer introduced me to an awesome 14-year large albino fish, blissfully swimming on its large aquarium and playing (or harassing) with its goldfish buddies. Its Caretaker, called the fish Goura, derived from its common named, the Asiatic Giant Gourami. The fish tank which bear Goura was the centerpiece of the lobby of a residential facility. When you enter the Main Lobby you will never missed seeing this large albino blissfully swimming around and trying to get the attention of passersby.    

The Giant Gourami, Osphronemus goramy

This fish is a representative species of the large gourami native fresh water habitats in Southeast Asia, its occurrence in other locations are due to fish introductions. Gourami is also a commercially farmed food fish. It is also a popular aquaria species (especially the large albinos). These giants can appear as pale to golden yellow with silvery blue stripes running vertically long its body.

It is reported that this fish can reach up to 70cm (28 in) in length, in average growing up to 48cm (18in).

Giant Gourami are mainly herbivores preferring an algae-based diet but it can also consumed meaty foods like dried bloodworms and brine shrimp.      

My encounter with Goura was an awesome experience! It was also fun as the large fish seems to like the attention and was very comfortable having his photo taken. It responds to gentle taps on its large glass tank with a smile (fish style) and a stare down. Thru its 14-years of being a pet fish it seems to be relaxed in the presence of viewers. 

I wish Goura more amazing years of fun and playfulness with his goldfish buddies. (By the way, the Caretaker of Goura is looking for referrals as this big boy is looking for a girl fish-friend, if you know one similar of a similar species kindly send me a message and photo of the lady fish).

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

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