All fish / Osphronemidae

Eyespot Gourami

Parasphaerichthys ocellatus

Also known as eyespot gourami, burmese chocolate gourami, false chocolate gourami, ocellated gourami, dwarf chocolate gourami, パラスファエリクティス・オセラトゥス, 眼斑巧克力丽丽

This is a tiny, shy gourami with a mottled brown to olive body and a dark eyespot ringed in gold on its flank. Keepers of nano tanks like it for its subtle colours and calm nature in densely planted, gently flowing aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp and grindal worms

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar (Indawgyi Lake and upper Irrawaddy basin)

Breeding

It is thought to be a mouthbrooder or to spawn among plants, and there are few reliable records of captive spawning. Breeding in the home aquarium is rarely achieved.

Good to know

It is timid and often refuses dry food, so it should only be kept with very small, peaceful tankmates. Unlike the true chocolate gourami it prefers cooler, near-neutral water rather than soft acidic conditions.