Comments: These are fabulous fish with vibrantly colored mature males.

Origin: The ancestors of these Licorice Gouramis lived on the island of Bangka, wich the nineth largest in Indonesia. But now Licorice Gouramis live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, Gouramis can grow to be about 1.75" long.

Behaviors: This is a timid species that usually are not aggresive, but from time to time males may become territorial and quarrel with each other but usually do no harm.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include other small Gouramis, Small Rasboras, Small Danios, Small Loaches, Small Rainbows, plus Corydoras Catfish, and Small Tetras.

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Temperature: these Gouramis live best from about 76 to 82-degrees F. with 80 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: small live foods like worms and brine shimp. Plus freeze dried foods like blood worms and other insects. Sometimes they will eat Premium Fish Food Flakes and Premium Fish Food Pellets. 

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Water Conditions: prefers water with a pH from 5 to 6.5 with minimal hardness. Which can be achived by mixing R/O wather with some of your local water.

Here in our facilities the water is hard and the pH is usually about 7.8. We ship them in this water.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: this fish seems to do well in a 10 to 30-gallon tank, but of course bigger is better. 

Decor: this fish doesn't need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

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Live plants are beautiful, improve the water quality, and seem to be important to this fish.

We also add a few pieces of driftwood plus Indian Almond Leaves.  

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are recommended. A Penguin 100B Filter or a Penguin 250B Filter will do well for a 10-20 gallon tank.

Actually a spong filter is probably ideal for these small fish.

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The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: These Licorice Gouramis can live for a few years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live even longer. 

Gender: The males are usually more colorful, and the females are usually not colorful, somewhat larger, and become plumper as they fill with eggs.

Breeding: Male and females blow bubbles, creating a nest. Where the female lays eggs that the male cares for, until they hatch.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are rare and require special care and are not very common in aquariums. 

Names: The scientific name for the genus is Parosphromenus but we do not know the species name of this fish now. 

Variations: we do not know of any, but the genus Parosphromeus is now known to contain several species and there may be variation in each species.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Gouramis, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.