A delightful species to consider is the Chocolate Gourami, if you enjoy colorful and unusual aquarium fish. This fish, which is distinguished by its unique patterns and deep, dark coloring, lends a sense of refinement to any aquarium. A fascinating addition to the setups of both novice and expert aquarists, Chocolate Gouramis are known for their captivating appearance and generally calm disposition.
These fish, which are native to Southeast Asia’s languid rivers and swamps, flourish in conditions that are similar to those in their natural habitat. They like an aquarium that is densely planted and has lots of hiding places because it makes them feel safe and less stressed. They are an excellent choice for community tanks because of their peaceful disposition, particularly when kept with other peaceful species.
Understanding the unique needs of Chocolate Gouramis is essential to proper care. They prefer a temperature range that is similar to their natural habitat and water that is slightly acidic to neutral. A balanced diet and routine water changes are essential to maintaining their health and vibrancy. You can experience the ultimate beauty and charm of these fascinating fish by attending to these needs.
Feature | Details |
Scientific Name | Sphaerichthys osphromenoides |
Origin | Found in slow-moving rivers and swamps of Southeast Asia |
Size | Grows up to 2 inches (5 cm) |
Water Temperature | Prefers 75-86°F (24-30°C) |
Diet | Feeds on small insects, worms, and high-quality flake food |
Behavior | Peaceful and shy, best kept with similar gentle fish |
Tank Setup | Needs a well-planted tank with hiding spots and soft, acidic water |
Care Level | Moderate, requires stable water conditions |
- Habitat of the chocolate gourami
- Description of the chocolate gourami
- Conditions for keeping chocolate gourami
- Chocolate gourami compatibility
- What to feed chocolate gourami
- Sexual differences of chocolate gourami – male and female
- Breeding and reproduction of chocolate gourami
- Interesting behavioral features of the chocolate gourami
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Habitat of the chocolate gourami
Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo) are home to chocolate gourami. J. Reichelt introduced the species to Europe for the first time in 1905. The specimen didn’t make it. reintroduced in 1934 and supplied consistently since 1950.
Chocolate gouramis are primarily found in peat bogs, but they can also be found in clean waters with similar chemical properties, where they can easily grow into species like Lymnophila, Cryptocarinae, Blyxa, Barclaya, Eleocharis, and Utricularia. The habitat consists of wooded reservoirs with a high concentration of humic acids in the water, which gives the water its distinctive brown color. Such water has a pH of 3.0-4.0.
Description of the chocolate gourami
The chocolate gourami’s body has a faint greenish tinge and is reddish-brown or chocolate in color. Many transverse stripes ranging in width and length from light yellow to white cross the entire body. Anal fin with a thin yellow edge. The fish is between 40 and 50 mm in size.
Four species make up the genus Sphaerichthys (Canestrini, 1860): Bronze gourami S. acrostoma (Vierke, 1979); Cross chocolate gourami S. selatanensis (Vierke, 1979); Chocolate gourami S. osphromenoides (Canestrini, 1860); and Veillant’s gourami S. vaillanti (Pellegrin, 1930).
The more elongated body and head profile of the Chocolate gourami set it apart from the related species of Veillant and Bronze gourami. The brighter coloring and distinct pattern on the females of the Veillant and Bronze gouramis is one of their distinguishing characteristics. These species also have males that hold eggs in their mouths.
The only differences between the chocolate and cross chocolate gourami are the number of rays on the dorsal fin (which has 9–10 in the chocolate and 7 in the cross chocolate) and anal fin (which has 8 in the chocolate and 7 in the cross chocolate). Additionally, the first species has a light vertical stripe that runs from in front of the dorsal fin to behind the ventral fins, which are either completely absent or break up into small spots in front of the dorsal fin of the Chocolate gourami, if the coloring of the Cross Chocolate gourami and the Chocolate gourami are similar in coloring.
Aquarium enthusiasts will find chocolate gouramis to be an intriguing option because of their gentle disposition and distinctive appearance. These petite, eye-catching fish, which are native to Southeast Asian swamps and leisurely-moving rivers, are distinguished by their unique patterning and rich, chocolate-brown coloring, which lend an air of exotic beauty to any aquarium. This post will discuss how to take care of them, the best tank conditions, and how to provide a healthy environment that will both showcase their gorgeous appearance and ensure their wellbeing.
Conditions for keeping chocolate gourami
The fish does not tolerate bright lighting, due to this feature, it is necessary to have floating plants that will diffuse the light of the lamps. Also, take the trouble to create a sufficient number of shelters from driftwood, grottoes, pots, coconut shells. And if you want to further emphasize the atmosphere of the natural habitat of the fish, then add dry beech, oak or almond leaves to the aquarium (on the forum Oak, almond leaves, alder cones in the aquarium). The leaves will promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria during their decay, which in turn will provide the fry with food, and will also lead to the release of tannin, which gives the water a characteristic brownish tint. The leaves can remain in the aquarium until complete decomposition or are replaced every few weeks.
However, we believe that using Tetra Torumin—which is actually a peat extract because it contains humic acids and tannins—is the best option. It will benefit plants as well as fish by gradually lowering the pH.
The most striking conditions for chocolate gourami to appear are those with diffused light produced by floating plants (pista, duckweed), as well as an abundance of bottom plants (Microsorum, Flame moss (Taxiphyllum), Cryptocarina (Cryptocoryne), and Anubias (Anubias), which prefer soft, acidic water.
As for any other fish, high concentrations of poisons are unacceptable for chocolates: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Every conscientious aquarist should always have a set of drop tests on hand, at least for nitrate and phosphate. Fortunately, they have now become inexpensive, there are no problems with their assortment and acquisition. For example, we can recommend you with a clear conscience the cool UHE drop tests that we have tested on ourselves, but they are sold only online. In stores in your city – offline, you can find inexpensive Vladox tests. Watch out, friends, for nitrogen compounds, keep them in check and everything will be fine for you and your pets.
Gourami: Things you may not have known about them
Chocolate gourami compatibility
Pelagic carp such as Trigonostigma, Danionella, Microdevario, small species of Rasbora, and some loaches (Pangio, Kottelatlimia) will make peaceful neighbors for chocolate gourami. It is not advised to keep chocolate gourami with related species in order to prevent hybridization. Although it does not school, the fish gets along well with family members and maintains a hierarchy. The dominant person gets the best color development. It is advised to retain a minimum of six fish.
What to feed chocolate gourami
Gourami are eager to eat anything they come across and are utterly unpretentious about it. A varied diet is highly appreciated by gourami, just like it is by other fish. Ultimately, it is important to provide aquarium fish with a balanced and varied diet. The secret to successfully keeping any fish is adhering to this basic guideline. The popular and standard TetraMin meal is ideal for gourami.
It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should be mindful of the manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food in large quantities, and store it in a closed environment to prevent the growth of harmful flora.
Sexual differences of chocolate gourami – male and female
Compared to the female, the male has a sharper head and a straighter lower jaw profile. Because of the need to incubate the eggs, the female’s skin is stretchable, giving her a rounded lower jaw. However, you shouldn’t base your determination of the sex of these gourami on the typical distinctions, such as their vivid coloring and pointed, elongated, unpaired fins.
Breeding and reproduction of chocolate gourami
Among labyrinth fish, only in chocolate gourami and cross chocolate gourami females take care of the offspring, while among other related species this is done by males. Breeding can be carried out both in a group of individuals and in pairs. In this case, it is only necessary to stimulate the producers by adding live food and create favorable conditions for the fish. Courtship is usually initiated by the dominant male, when keeping a group. A mature male can be easily identified by the appearance of a mating outfit, including a darkening of the body color and the presence of a grayish pattern. In females ready to spawn, the coloring becomes brighter, chocolate-brown with light vertical stripes, casting a golden hue. Spawning sometimes lasts several hours, during which spawning first occurs on the substrate, then fertilization of the eggs, and at the end the female takes the clutch into her mouth. The surrounding area is guarded by both individuals of the chocolate gourami. After spawning, the female hides in a secluded place and does not eat. At this point, it is prudent to move the female to a separate aquarium to reduce the number of irritants, and allow her to calmly incubate the clutch. The eggs and fry remain in the mouth for 7-20 days, after which 10-40 free-swimming fry emerge. When switching to independent full-fledged nutrition, the fry are already large enough to consume microworms and Artemia nauplii.
Interesting behavioral features of the chocolate gourami
One of the most fascinating characteristics of the chocolate gourami is that it lies on its side and lets people touch its fins or body with its mouth. This is unrelated to mating courtship and does not cause harm to the fish. Some people believe that the group is governed by a hierarchy in this way.
These and a variety of other fish are always available at the physical supermarkets Aqua Logo and the internet retailer Aqua-Shop. Live goods delivery is offered in Moscow and the surrounding areas.
Writer Isakov Alexander
Any aquarium would benefit from the elegant and fascinating addition of the chocolate gourami. Fish enthusiasts love it for its distinct coloring and calm disposition. You can make sure these adorable fish flourish and add beauty to your tank by setting up the proper conditions and giving them the care they need.
These fish have a mild temperament that makes them get along with a wide range of tank companions in addition to their eye-catching appearance. You can enjoy their company for years to come if you pay attention to their needs, as they have specific but manageable requirements.
In the end, aquarists who are prepared to dive into the care requirements of the chocolate gourami will find this to be a rewarding species. Their unique appearance and calm demeanor make them a unique option in the aquarium industry. With the right care and upkeep, these fish will remain the focal point of your aquatic setup for many years to come.