Above: In the picture is a premium quality Chocolate Gourami, swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.
Comments: This species is native to so-called black water, and are considered to be rather fragile.
Origin: The ancestors of these Chocolate Gouramis lived in parts of Malaysian and Indonesian.
Maximum Size: In aquariums, Chocolate Gouramis can grow to be about 2" long.
Behaviors: Gouramis are usually not aggresive fish, but from time to time males may become territorial and quarrel with each other and do not harm each other.
Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include Danios, Small Loaches, Rainbows, Corydoras Catfish, and Tetras.
Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: Chocolate Gouramis live best from about 75 to 84-degrees F. with 80 being perhaps ideal.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: small live and frozen foods. Sometimes Premium Fish Food Flakes and Premium Fish Food Pellets.
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Water Conditions: this fish seems to need water with a lower pH of about 6.2 to 6.8 and low hardness.
Most water in the US has a higher pH and is harder, and both can be adjusted by gradually diluting tap water with Reverse Osmosis water and then adding a small amount of vinegar, while carefully testing the water's pH and conductivity.
This fish also does better in an aquarium with pieces of driftwood and dried almond leaves.
Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.
Aquarium Size: this fish seems to do well in a 20-gallon tank, but of course bigger is better.
Decor: As mentioned above drift wood and almond leaves are beneficial.
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.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, and Chocolate Gouramis do better in an aquarium with live plants.
Aquarium Filter: a Sponge Filter is recommended.
Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.
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: Gouramis can live for several years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live even longer.
Gender: Males have a differently shaped head.
Breeding: this is a mouthbrooding species with the female brooding the eggs in her mouth.
Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.
Popularity: Chocolate Gouramies are rare and delicate. So they are not commonly seen in aquariums.
Names: The scientific name is Sphaerichthys osphromenoides.
Variations: There are several color variations of this species with the males showing various red or blue areas.
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.
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.