Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) Care Guide
A challenging but rewarding labyrinth fish with a rich chocolate-brown body crossed by several pale vertical bands. One of the few mouthbrooding anabantoids.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides is a species in the family Osphronemidae. A challenging but rewarding labyrinth fish with a rich chocolate-brown body crossed by several pale vertical bands. One of the few mouthbrooding anabantoids. Requires pristine, soft, acidic blackwater conditions and is sensitive to water quality changes.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Sphaerichthys
- Scientific name: Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
- Origin: Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra
Habitat
Native to peat swamps and blackwater streams of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Inhabits very soft, acidic, tannin-stained water shaded by forest canopy. A maternal mouthbrooder, unusual among gouramis.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 25-30 °C
- pH: 4-6.5
- GH: 1-4 °dGH
- Adult size: 4-6 cm
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Difficulty: advanced
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Ember Tetra, Cherry Shrimp, Kuhli Loach, Otocinclus
- Avoid with: Tiger Barb, Betta, Aggressive Fish
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
- Breeding difficulty: advanced
Chocolate Gourami Breeding Guide
Overview
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides is a labyrinth fish that is challenging to breed and is one of the very few anabantoids in which the female broods the eggs in her mouth; this species and its close relative S. selatanensis are the only anabantoids with maternal (rather than the usual paternal) mouthbrooding. It is restricted to soft, acidic peat habitats and is sensitive to water-quality changes, making it an advanced breeding subject. Adults reach about 6 cm.
Sexing
Males show a uniformly straight lower-jaw profile and a more pointed (acuminate) head shape; females have a slightly rounded lower jaw due to distensible skin that expands during brooding. Depending on population, males may have longer, more pointed unpaired fins and more intense colour, though this is variable.
Breeding Setup
The species can spawn in groups or in pairs. It requires very soft, acidic blackwater: wild fish need pH 4.0-6.5 and hardness from 0 up to about 54 ppm, while captive-bred stock is more adaptable. The recommended temperature is 26-31 C, with peat filtration or botanicals supplying tannins.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
During courtship a displaying individual takes on a darker, almost greyish pattern while a receptive female intensifies to a deep chocolate brown with the pale bars appearing golden. Unlike most anabantoids, the pair remains almost upright during spawning. The process may take several hours, with eggs laid and fertilised on the substrate and the female then collecting them directly into her mouth.
Egg & Fry Care
The female retains the eggs and developing fry for 7-20 days before releasing 10-40 fully formed, free-swimming juveniles. The fry require live foods such as microworm or Artemia nauplii immediately, together with daily water changes of around 10% of the tank volume.
Common Challenges
The extreme sensitivity to water quality and the need for stable soft, acidic blackwater make this one of the harder anabantoids to breed; brooding females must be left undisturbed throughout the long incubation.