Chocolate Gourami

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment3–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Swim bladder disorder

The Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) comes from peat swamp forests in Sumatra and Borneo and reaches about 5 to 6 cm. Unlike most labyrinth fish it does not build a bubble nest: the female is a mouthbrooder, carrying the eggs and fry for around two weeks. Its natural water is extraordinarily soft and acidic, stained dark by tannins. This is a species for an experienced keeper. It needs a mature, stable 60 litre tank or larger at 26-30C, in very soft acidic water at pH 4.0 to 6.0, heavily tinted with leaf litter and wood, dimly lit, with almost no flow and a tight lid to keep the air above the water warm and humid. Feed small live and frozen foods: daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, microworms and grindal worms, since it often ignores dry food. It is extremely sensitive to nitrate, sudden parameter changes and any competition at feeding time, and is best kept in a species tank of six or more or with tiny peaceful blackwater fish. Given exactly those conditions it is calm, social and quietly spectacular.

• How active is a Chocolate Gourami?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Chocolate Gourami need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Chocolate Gourami need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Chocolate Gourami a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Chocolate Gourami live?

  3–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Chocolate Gourami?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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