All fish / Osphronemidae

Parosphromenus parvulus

Parosphromenus parvulus

Also known as small licorice gourami, dwarf licorice gourami, parvulus licorice gourami, liquorice gourami, パロスフロメヌス・パルヴルス, ikan kepala timah kerdil, 小型巧克力丽丽

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This is one of the smallest licorice gouramis, a slender brown fish with dark lengthwise stripes, and males show a blue-edged dark band in the unpaired fins. Keepers prize it as a rare blackwater species that suits a quiet, heavily planted nano tank with leaf litter.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

4 to 6

Smallest tank

20 litres

Keep as

A pair or small group in a species-only tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Central Kalimantan, Borneo (Indonesia)

Breeding

Males build small bubble nests in caves or under leaves and guard the eggs, which are laid upside down on the cave roof. Spawning is achievable in very soft, acidic, clean water, but raising the tiny fry needs infusoria-sized foods and patience.

Good to know

Needs very soft, acidic blackwater and is easily outcompeted, so avoid lively tankmates. Wild habitats are threatened by peat swamp clearance, and it is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, so captive-bred stock is preferable.