Tag Archives: osphromenoides

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

26. March 2021

The chocolate gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) still belongs to the legendary ornamental fish species. Although the species is common in the wild and other fish of the same habitat (e.g. harlequin barbs) do not cause significant problems in the aquarium, it is a gamble whether chocolate gouramis will do well there. Possibly this is related to the fact that there are several, very similar species and that they have different sensitivities – at least this is what some observations and field collections indicate. 

Additionally, all chocolate gouramis are extremely susceptible to infectious diseases of all kinds and tolerate medications poorly – an unfavorable combination!

We currently have chocolate gouramis in stock from Jambi Province on Sumatra. Many specimens from this population stand out with an attractively marked anal fin. Another peculiarity of these fish is that there are often specimens with Piebald markings. This refers to animals in which pigmentless (i.e. white), irregular spots appear. At first sight this seems frightening, because bacterial infections and also other diseases look quite similar. However, treatment is not necessary, and may even be harmful. We observe this phenomenon with the animals of Jambi from time to time, first we noticed it in 2007. We bred these fish once as a test, the photo of the breeding female is from this time.

For our customers: the fish have code 455803 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

12. October 2018

From Indonesia we received beautiful, very large and strong chocolate Guramis (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides). Unfortunately the exact place of origin is not known, but we suspect that they come from the Indonesian part of Central Borneo, Kalimantan. Particularly noticeable in the animals is their high red portion in the coloration, which is however somewhat different with each specimen.

For our customers: the animals have code 455804 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

4. May 2018

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides is the most famous representative of the in southeast Asia indigenous chocolate gouramis. Like other chocolate gouramis Sphaerichthys osphromenoides is a delicate and at least while settling down a sensitive fish. 

It’s natural biotope are shore areas of small, still and slow-moving black water on the Malayan peninsula and Sumatra. As a typical black water fish it needs a acidic, soft water. Because the natural habitat of extreme black water fish is very pour of bacteria the adaptability to the high bacteria density in the aquarium is very low. 

Flakes are mostly not accepted and a feeding with live or frosted brine shrimp, mosquito larvae or fruit flies is indispensable. For the breeding the water-quality again needs to be inceased , but should succeed with a little luck. Interesting is the several weeks lasting mouth-broodcare. The chocolate gourami is no fish for beginners and it should only be fall into the hands of experienced hobbyist. 

For our customers: the fish have code 455803 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text: K. Diehl, photos: F. Schäfer