Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
An expert-only gourami that demands blackwater — soft, acidic, tannin-stained, warm and still. Mouthbrooder. Pairs poorly with most community fish; best in a single-species blackwater biotope with botanicals and floating plants.
Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) reaches 5–6 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 75 L. Native to Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia, it lives in the mid to top water column with a peaceful (delicate) temperament. Aim for 26–30 °C, pH 4.0–6.5, and 0–5 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 3–5 years with good care. Keep chocolate gourami in groups of 4+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: carnivore, Live and frozen small foods — daphnia, baby brine shrimp, micro worms. Most refuse dry food. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes (with adults).
Care at a glance
An expert-only gourami that demands blackwater — soft, acidic, tannin-stained, warm and still. Mouthbrooder. Pairs poorly with most community fish; best in a single-species blackwater biotope with botanicals and floating plants.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
The parameters that decide whether chocolate gourami fits in your tank.
Mid to top
Yes
Group of 4+
Osphronemidae
Carnivore
Live and frozen small foods — daphnia, baby brine shrimp, micro worms. Most refuse dry food.
3–5 yrs
Hard
Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia
Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) needs a minimum tank of 75 L. They live in the mid to top water column and should be kept in groups of 4+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 26–30 °C, pH 4.0–6.5, and 0–5 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Yes (with adults). Plant safety: Yes.
Chocolate Gourami are carnivore. Live and frozen small foods — daphnia, baby brine shrimp, micro worms. Most refuse dry food.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 4/5. Advanced, demands dialled-in CO₂/dosing or precise water chemistry. Breeding difficulty: hard.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 3–5 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
