Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
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Names
Scientific name
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Common name
Chocolate gourami
Origin
Origin: Indonesia, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo
Biotope: Asian
Dimorphism
The male has a pointed dorsal fin and the female has a rather rounded dorsal fin.
Group
Osphronemidae
Volume
120 L / 26 Imp Gal / 32 US Gal
Parameters
T°: 26 to 28°C or 79 to 82°F
pH: 4.5 to 5.5
Hardness: 1 to 4°dGH
Difficulty
Hard
Size
6cm (2.4")
Longevity
5 years
Living zone
Middle and top
Individuals
6
Food
How to feed the Chocolate gourami?
Food
How to feed the Chocolate gourami?
To do well, imitate its natural diet as much as possible by distributing small crustaceans, larvae, insects, worms, artemia... These preys will be offered live or frozen. It also accepts the flakes and granules traditionally used in aquariums but this type of food should not be the basis of its diet, but rather supplements.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Chocolate gourami have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Chocolate gourami have?
The chocolate Gourami is rather shy and timid. As a result, like most shy fish, it will need hiding places and shaded areas. Floating plants will be perfect for this. This feeling of security will make it easier for this emotional fish to acclimatize in its aquarium.
Gregarius, he absolutely needs the presence of his fellow fish. So, adopt a group of at least 6 to 12 specimens in an aquarium of at least 120 L / 26 Imp gal / 32 US Gal. Intimidation parades between males are harmless and consist of the full deployment of the fins.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Chocolate gourami?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Chocolate gourami?
Cohabitation is greatly hindered by its need for water (extreme parameters) and by its shy character. For these reasons, a specific aquarium is highly recommended and will facilitate its maintenance.
Avoid maintenance with fish that are too big or too active that could intimidate him. On the other hand, cohabitation with smaller fish could make it slightly aggressive.
However, some aquarists have successfully cohabited with small rasboras.
Breeding
How to breed the Chocolate gourami?
Breeding
How to breed the Chocolate gourami?
Sexual dimorphism is not very pronounced because only the dorsal fin will make the difference. In the male this fin will be slightly more pointed than in the female where it is more rounded. Even if you had identified couples among your group, the reproduction of this species is very difficult, even impossible.
Egg-laying takes place very close to the ground. It can consist of 20 to 40 eggs. After spawning, the female gathers her eggs in her mouth and keeps them in a pouch (called a chinstrap) throughout the incubation period (about 20 days). During this period, she remains sheltered under a root and hardly feeds at all. When the fry are expelled, they are already free-swimming and self-sustaining.
Food: artemia larvae, infusoriae.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Chocolate gourami?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Chocolate gourami?
The water parameters are the black point of its maintenance. Indeed, it is very demanding on these parameters which are quite difficult to obtain (temperature between 26 and 28°C (79 and 82°F) / pH between 4.5 and 5.5 / hardness between 1 and 4°dGH). Moreover, it is sensitive to variations in these parameters, particularly concerning temperature. As a result, Gourami chocolate is very difficult to maintain in an aquarium.
The chocolate Gourmai does not like light and its aquarium will need very little lighting. Therefore, choose plants that need very little light such as Java moss or Microsorum pteropus for example.
As far as the decoration is concerned, the only requirement is the presence of many plants, floating plants in particular will be appreciated by this shy fish.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Very difficult to maintain in an aquarium, this species is reserved for aquarium experts.
Small useful info: you can observe its mood according to its colours. Indeed, it becomes very pale when it is stressed! If he lives in a dark environment that suits him, his brown colour will intensify to become darker and darker. On the contrary, in a less suitable environment, he will tend to adopt a lighter coat.
Its name "chocolate" comes from its beautiful brown colour with three stripes (beige, yellow, light brown).
Yours photos!
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