Chocolate gourami

Behaviour and habits

The chocolate gourami is a shy, delicate labyrinth fish with rich chocolate-brown and cream vertical bars, and it is one of the more challenging gouramis to keep. It needs very soft, acidic, tannin-stained water, a quiet, densely planted tank and calm company, and it is far happier in a small group than alone. It is slow, peaceful and easily stressed, so it is a fish for experienced keepers with soft-water setups.

What to feed, and how often

It is a micro-predator that wants small live or frozen foods — daphnia, baby brineshrimp and bloodworm — fed one or two small meals a day. It can be slow to feed and easily out-competed, so make sure it actually gets food.

Water changes and maintenance

Change only about 15–20% weekly, using very soft, acidic water matched closely and dripped in slowly. Hard or alkaline water, or sudden changes, will quickly harm this species.

Care and how easy it is

For experienced keepers only: it needs very soft, acidic, stable blackwater and a quiet, densely planted tank.

Common health problems

Very sensitive to hard water and poor conditions; prone to bacterial and parasitic problems.

If it gets sick

Keep the water soft, acidic and very stable, feed carefully, and isolate and treat early if a fish goes thin or dark.