All fish / Osphronemidae

Chocolate Gourami

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

Also known as chocolate gourami, chocolate gouramy, sphaerichthys osphronemoides, ปลากริมช็อกโกแลต, sepat coklat, チョコレートグラミー, gurami coklat, 巧克力丽丽, 巧克力飞船

A small, rich brown gourami with pale golden vertical bands and a fine yellow edge to the fins. It comes from shaded peat swamp forest streams and is kept by enthusiasts of soft, acidic blackwater tanks for its subtle colours and calm behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

4 to 6.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus quality flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries the eggs and fry for around two weeks before releasing them. Spawning happens in captivity when water is very soft and acidic, but raising numbers of fry is challenging.

Good to know

Sensitive to poor or hard water and prone to disease after import, so it needs a mature, very soft and clean tank. Easily confused with Sphaerichthys selatanensis, which has a more distinct band pattern.