Chocolate Gourami

Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys Osphromenoides)

The Chocolate Gourami is a small, charming freshwater fish that boasts a rich brown coloration, giving it its name. This elegant fish is characterized by its compressed, oval-shaped body, which is adorned with subtle vertical stripes and a bright orange stripe running from the snout to the caudal fin.

Chocolate Gouramis have a peaceful temperament and are best suited for a calm, community-tank environment. Chocolate Gourami is slow-moving, making them susceptible to intimidation or food competition from larger or more active tankmates. Suitable tankmates include peaceful fish like danios, small rasboras such as harlequin and eye-spot rasboras, and certain loaches like kuhli or mini royal loaches. Some aquarists have successfully housed them with discus, which shares similar water requirements and care needs.

Gouramis can display aggression toward each other, so larger tanks are advisable for groups of 6 or more. These fish typically thrive in pairs or schools consisting of their own species. They often form family groups, and newcomers might not be readily accepted. However, they are generally peaceful towards other small, gentle fish.

These fish typically grow to an adult size of 2-2.5 inches. They are not schooling fish but thrive in small groups of 4-6 individuals. Due to their peaceful nature, they are best kept with similarly sized, non-aggressive tank mates.

Chocolate Gouramis are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small live or frozen foods, such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. They may also accept high-quality flake or pellet foods designed for carnivorous fish.

To create an ideal habitat for Chocolate Gouramis, provide a densely planted tank with ample hiding spaces, floating plants, and subdued lighting. They require a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons, but a 40 gallon community aquarium is ideal.

These fish prefer water with a pH of 4.0-6.0, hardness ranging from 1-5 dGH, and a temperature between 77-84°F (25-29°C). Regular water changes and good filtration are crucial for maintaining a healthy environment.