Family: Osphronemidae
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.
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides is a Osphronemidae from Borneo. In the wild it prefers still waters, rice paddies and slow streams; in the aquarium it stays peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race. Plan on 4.5–6.6 cm of adult fish at 24–27 °C. Related profiles: Sphaerichthys selatanensis.
Difficulty: moderate. Peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race. Pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks.
Hold 24–27 °C and keep it stable — 24–27 °C recorded range. Heater required; stable warmth.
Adults reach 4.5–6.6 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 52 litres.
Unfussy eater; supplement with live or frozen fare. It forages naturally over soft sand with leaf litter, so let some food reach the bottom.
Yes, with care. Peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race — pair it with Peaceful mid-water schoolers — Add motion without menace and skip Fast, aggressive feeders — Starve it out at every meal.
Its home waters are Borneo — still waters, rice paddies and slow streams, with still to very gentle water.
A confirmed jumper: fit a tight lid and lower the waterline slightly.
In the aquarium: builds a foam nest among floating plants; paternal care. Males larger with longer fins.