GOURAMI LICORICE 2-3CM

Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus deissneri and related Parosphromenus spp.) is a small, striking blackwater specialist from Southeast Asian peat swamps. The common name covers several similar species in the genus. They are peaceful, shy micro-predators that need soft, acidic water and live foods—advanced but rewarding fish for the right setup. They swim in the lower to middle, near cover and substrate.

TANK SET UP: Prefer length over height.

• Low-light plants that tolerate soft/acidic water: Cryptocoryne, Anubias, Java fern, Java moss.

• Leaf litter (catappa/Indian almond, oak) and botanicals on the bottom.

• Driftwood, roots, and small caves (half coconut shells, clay pots, or short tubes) for hiding and spawning.

• Dim lighting + floating plants (frogbit, Salvinia, etc.) for shade.

• Use a tight-fitting lid—they are good jumpers.

NOTE:

• Blackwater conditions with tannins help them feel secure and support the preferred chemistry.

• These fish need very soft, acidic blackwater. Ordinary hard tap water is usually unsuitable—RO/DI or pure soft water is recommended, conditioned with leaves and wood.

IMPORTANT:

• temperature up to 28°C tolerated short-term only.

TANK MATE: Best as a species-only tank or carefully chosen nano blackwater community. Good options include tiny, peaceful fish that thrive in the same soft/acidic conditions (e.g., Boraras chilli or phoenix rasboras).

AVOID: anything larger, faster, or competitive that will outcompete them for food or stress them.

IMPORTANT: Do not mix different Parosphromenus species (risk of hybrids and identification issues).

FILTRATION: Gentle sponge filter (air-driven preferred) with minimal flow and surface agitation.

BREEDING: Cave-spawning bubble-nesters. The male builds a rudimentary nest under a cave ceiling, courts the female, then usually guards the eggs and early fry while the female is driven off.

MAINTENANCE: Ammonia/nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate <20 ppm. Do small, frequent water changes (5–15%) with matched water.

FEEDING: Micro-predators that rarely do well on dry foods alone (especially wild-caught). Prioritise small live foods;

• Newly hatched brine shrimp (BBS)

• Daphnia, Moina, copepods

• Microworms, Grindal worms

• Small mosquito or midge larvae

Frozen alternatives (cyclops, fine daphnia, etc.) are useful backups. Feed small amounts once or twice daily.