Chocolate gourami
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides · Osphronemidae
Also known as Chocolate
Advanced
A beautiful blackwater specialist and a mouthbrooder — demanding water, not a starter fish.
- Minimum tank
- 75 L
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
- pH
- 4–6
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- Group size
- 6+
Will it fit your tank?
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Sign in to check my tanksCare requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 75 L
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
- pH
- 4–6
- Hardness
- 0–5 dGH
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Diet
- Carnivore-leaning — live and frozen daphnia, bloodworm, brine.
- Care level
- Advanced
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Acidic peat swamp forests under leaf litter
- Natural conditions
- Very soft, very acidic, tannin-rich, warm and still water.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 6 fish
- Swims
- Mid-water
- Good tank mates
- Chili rasboraSparkling gouramiKuhli loach
- Avoid
- Hard waterBoisterous fishBright light
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Males have a straighter jaw and pointed anal fin.
- Notes
- Female mouthbroods the eggs for about two weeks.
- Common ailments
- Bacterial infection in hard waterVelvetRefusing dry food
