Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys vaillanti) Care Guide
Sphaerichthys vaillanti is a demanding Bornean mouthbrooding gourami of blackwater peat swamps, needing very soft, acidic water and a quiet, shaded group setup.
Overview
Sphaerichthys vaillanti, Vaillant's chocolate gourami, is a demanding mouthbrooding gourami of the family Osphronemidae. During breeding, females flush red with white bars while males turn dark chocolate. It is sensitive to water quality and best suited to experienced keepers.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Sphaerichthys
- Scientific name: Sphaerichthys vaillanti
- Common synonyms: Crossband Chocolate Gourami
Habitat
The species occurs in the upper Kapuas river basin of West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, in peat swamps and blackwater streams. The water has negligible dissolved mineral content and is stained dark by tannins.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Minimum base dimensions: 60 x 30 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 4.5-6.0
- GH: 1-5 °dGH
- School size: groups of at least 6 recommended
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Maintain dim lighting over a soft substrate with wood, leaf litter and shade-providing plants such as Microsorum, Taxiphyllum, Cryptocoryne and Anubias. Stable, soft, acidic conditions are essential.
Diet
This carnivore is a micropredator feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton. Daily meals of small live or frozen foods such as Artemia nauplii and Daphnia are recommended.
Compatibility
Slow-moving and easily intimidated, it should be kept with calm soft-water companions such as pencilfish and small tetras. Maintaining a group of at least 6 encourages natural behaviour and pair formation. Boisterous fish and hard water should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is a paternal mouthbrooder. Eggs and fry are retained for roughly 7-20 days before 10-40 fully formed, free-swimming juveniles are released.