Fish comparison
Chocolate Gourami vs Licorice Gourami
How the Chocolate Gourami and Licorice Gourami compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Chocolate Gourami vs Licorice Gourami
The Chocolate Gourami and the Licorice Gourami come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 26 to 28 °C and pH 4 to 5.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Chocolate Gourami is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Licorice Gourami rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Licorice Gourami needs less room to feel settled; give the Chocolate Gourami the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
3 notes
Temperature
- Chocolate Gourami26–30 °C
- Licorice Gourami22–28 °C
pH
- Chocolate Gourami4–6.5
- Licorice Gourami3.5–5.5
Hardness
- Chocolate Gourami0–5 dGH
- Licorice Gourami0–3 dGH
What to plan for
- Chocolate Gourami schools, stock at least 4You've planned for 1 chocolate gourami. Chocolate Gourami need a group of at least 4 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Demanding species presentChocolate Gourami, Licorice Gourami are difficulty 4+. Stable parameters and weekly maintenance are non-negotiable.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishChocolate GouramiSphaerichthys osphromenoides |  FishLicorice GouramiParosphromenus deissneri |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia | Bangka Island, Indonesia (peat swamps) |
| Family | Osphronemidae | Osphronemidae |
| Temperature | 26–30 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 4.0–6.5 | 3.5–5.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 0–5 | 0–3 |
| Flow rate | Very low | Very low |
| Min tank | 75 L | 30 L |
| Adult size | 5–6 cm | 3–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–5 yrs | 3–4 yrs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
| Water column | Mid to top | Mid to top |
| Schooling | Yes | No (pairs) |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (with adults) | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Chocolate Gourami and Licorice Gourami together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 26 to 28 °C and pH 4 to 5.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Chocolate Gourami or the Licorice Gourami?
The Chocolate Gourami is the easier of the two, closer to demanding, while the Licorice Gourami leans expert-level.
Do Chocolate Gourami and Licorice Gourami need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 26 to 28 °C and pH 4 to 5.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Chocolate Gourami and the Licorice Gourami?
Space. The Chocolate Gourami wants about 75 litres minimum and the Licorice Gourami around 30, so tank size can settle it.