Chocolate Gourami — a Osphronemidae from Borneo, peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race. Reaches 4.5–6.6 cm; pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks. 24–27 °C.
Care parameters
Water temperature
24–27 °C
pH
4–6
GH hardness
0–4 dGH
Adult length
4.5–6.6 cm
Minimum tank
52 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race
Origin
Borneo
Species overview
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides is a Osphronemidae from Borneo. It gulps air at the surface, so warm, still, plant-covered water is home — and cold drafts are not. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 4.5–6.6 cm. Pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks. Give it warm, gentle water, floating plants and quiet neighbours; filter flow should barely ripple the surface. Maintain 24–27 °C at pH 4–6. A rewarding species for the aquarist who reads before buying.
Native biotope
Habitat
Still waters, rice paddies and slow streams
Flow
Still to very gentle water
Dissolved O₂
Tolerates low oxygen; labyrinth breather
Aquascape & hardware
Substrate
Soft sand with leaf litter
Hardscape
Dense planting and shelters
Plants
Dense hardy plants reaching the surface
Temperament, diet & tankmates
Schooling
Pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks
Diet
Unfussy eater; supplement with live or frozen fare
Recommended tankmates
Peaceful mid-water schoolers — Add motion without menace
Avoid keeping with
Fast, aggressive feeders — Starve it out at every meal
Breeding & notes
Sexual dimorphism
Males larger with longer fins
Breeding method
Builds a foam nest among floating plants; paternal care