Chocolate Gourami

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Scientific Name

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

Min. Tank Size

20 gallons

Personality

Peaceful/Shy and nervous

Temperature

75-86°F

pH

4.0-6.5/0-5°dGH

Size

2.5"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Best kept with it’s own kind in a species tank or with peaceful species such as small Rasboras, Cyprinids, Danios, and Loaches.

Chocolate Gourami

This species is named for its dark brown coloration which is offset by several vertical gold bands. Chocolate Gouramis are one of the smaller species of Gourami and there are several variants including the Giant Chocolate Gourami, Vaillant’s Chocolate Gourami and the Crossband Chocolate Gourami. These fish are one of the most widely distributed species of Gourami, native to portions of the Malay Peninsula as well as the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Chocolate Gouramis typically inhabit peat swamps and blackwater swamps but have also been found in some thickly-vegetated clear water environments.

Tank Set-Up

While most species of Gourami are fairly hardy and adaptable, the Chocolate Gourami can be challenging to keep in the home aquarium. These fish typically prefer soft, acidic water but tank-bred specimens tend to be more adaptable than wild specimens. Because these fish are slow-moving, they can easily be intimidated by larger or more energetic tankmates like Characins. Chocolate Gouramis remain a peaceful species, however, and seem to thrive in groups with several members of their own species.

Feeding

Unlike many Gouramis, Chocolate Gouramis can be picky eaters. To encourage these fish to eat, and to provide them with proper nutrition, offer your Gouramis plenty of live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. Over time, these fish can be conditioned to accept dried foods.

Breeding

When it comes to breeding, this species is unique among Anabantids because it is the only species in which the female broods the eggs. Chocolate Gouramis are mouthbrooders and, though courtship is typically initated by the male, the female takes over care of the eggs following spawning. The female will brood the eggs for 7 to 20 days before releasing 10 to 40 fully-formed fry.