Common name
Chocolate gourami
Scientific name
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Bettas and gouramis
Environment
Mature dim blackwater-style freshwater aquarium with very soft acidic water, leaf litter, wood and gentle filtration
Origin
Peat-swamp and blackwater habitats of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
About 5–6 cm total length
Expected lifespan
About 3–5 years
Minimum housing
At least 90 L for a small compatible group in a mature specialist setup
Temperature
25–29 °C
pH
4.5–6.5
Hardness / minerals
Very soft; avoid abrupt increases in mineral content
Salinity
Freshwater, 0 ppt
Lighting
Subdued with floating cover
Placement / swimming zone
Middle and upper water among cover

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Sphaerichthys osphromenoides. Similar chocolate gouramis differ in range and reproduction and need separate identification. Search names: chocolate gourami

Environment and housing

Leaf litter, branches, floating cover, gentle flow, very stable warm soft acidic water and excellent biological maturity

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Small invertebrate-focused omnivore; many newly acquired fish accept live or frozen foods more readily than dry food

Feeding routine: Offer small varied meals once or twice daily and verify each shy fish eats

Breeding and reproduction

Paternal mouthbrooder; the male incubates eggs and developing young after spawning

Parental care: Male mouthbroods the eggs and developing fry until release

System demands

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult stock and feeding load, with guarded intakes and a flow pattern the species can use without continual effort.

Aeration: Maintain strong gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen, especially overnight, during warm weather, medication, crowding or any interruption to filtration.

Maintenance: Test ammonia and nitrite after changes or abnormal behaviour; remove waste from the occupied zone and perform regular water changes matched to temperature and mineral chemistry.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
Single-species profile for Sphaerichthys osphromenoides. Similar chocolate gouramis differ in range and reproduction and need separate identification.
Adult size and space
About 5–6 cm total length. At least 90 L for a small compatible group in a mature specialist setup. Adult dimensions, activity, social structure and waste production matter more than sale size.
Social structure
Small peaceful group with dense cover, several feeding areas and space to avoid persistent pair pressure
Swimming zone
Primary zone: Middle and upper water among cover. Keep that zone usable and provide unobstructed feeding access, movement and refuge appropriate to the species.
Feeding ecology
Small invertebrate-focused omnivore; many newly acquired fish accept live or frozen foods more readily than dry food
Feeding plan
Offer small varied meals once or twice daily and verify each shy fish eats
Water stability
Maintain 25–29 °C; pH: 4.5–6.5; hardness/minerals: Very soft; avoid abrupt increases in mineral content. Stable temperature, oxygen, mineral chemistry and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing a single exact number.
Habitat structure
Leaf litter, branches, floating cover, gentle flow, very stable warm soft acidic water and excellent biological maturity
Compatibility plan
Use only calm small blackwater fish that will not outcompete, nip or intimidate them
Breeding plan
Paternal mouthbrooder; the male incubates eggs and developing young after spawning. Parental care: Male mouthbroods the eggs and developing fry until release. Do not trigger reproduction without capacity for aggression, eggs or fry and lawful long-term placement.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated nets, containers and siphons. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm normal feeding, respiration, skin, fins and waste, and never pour transport water into the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Check feeding of every fish, body condition, respiration, colour, skin, pair pressure and whether a brooding male has quiet refuge.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, eggs, fry, aquarium water, sediment, plants or foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Check the exact accepted identity in current BICON, Australian live-fish import requirements and applicable South Australian rules before import, sale or movement; import eligibility does not authorise release or wild collection.
Main risk
A generic community aquarium is inadequate. Mineral-rich or unstable water, bright bare housing and feeding competition can cause rapid deterioration.
Adult Projected Load
Low to moderate, but warm very soft acidic water and frequent small protein feeds leave little margin for nitrogen, oxygen or chemistry instability.
Filtration
Use mature gentle filtration with protected intakes, low turbulence and sufficient biological capacity for frequent small foods.
Aeration
Maintain reliable surface gas exchange without strong current and preserve unobstructed access to the air-water interface.
Maintenance
Use small chemistry-matched water changes, remove uneaten food promptly and monitor appetite, colour, respiration and social exclusion.
Overridable Warnings
Do not override soft-water stability, gentle flow, surface access, low competition or disease-isolation requirements.

Welfare and risk

Main risk

A generic community aquarium is inadequate. Mineral-rich or unstable water, bright bare housing and feeding competition can cause rapid deterioration.

Check feeding of every fish, body condition, respiration, colour, skin, pair pressure and whether a brooding male has quiet refuge.

Non-overridable warning

Do not override soft-water stability, gentle flow, surface access, low competition or disease-isolation requirements.

Sources

Source note

CURRENT