Licorice Gourami

The Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus deissneri) is a brilliantly colored, very small labyrinth fish that is native to blackwater swamps and ditches in Bangka, Indonesia. It has brilliant blue fins and dark brown and cream-colored horizontal body striping which make it a very beautiful fish. Like all labyrinth fish, it possesses an air-breathing organ that supplements its gills and allows it to live in aquatic areas that are poor in oxygen. Its iridescent green, blue, and red spotting make it a striking addition to the nano and planted aquarium.

The Licorice Gourami requires an aquarium with dense vegetation and plenty of cover, particularly floating plants. A darker substrate will result in the most vivid coloration for this fish. Slow to moderate water movement is preferred, so turbulent conditions should be avoided. This fish is typically timid and peaceful with other fish, but males can be territorial with their own species. It is not a typical “community” fish due to its retiring nature, but it can be kept with peaceful microrasboras as long as it has plenty of cover and very soft, clean water. While it is possible to keep this fish with most peaceful invertebrates, it is also possible that it will go after young dwarf shrimp, so vigilance and caution are necessary.