Licorice gouramis (genus Parosphromenus) are 22+ species of micro-gouramis from blackwater peat swamps in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Tank size: 10-20 gallons for a small group. Water: blackwater - pH 4.0-6.5, GH less than 2, KH less than 1, TDS less than 50. RODI water + Indian almond leaves + alder cones + driftwood tannins. Temperature: 72-78°F. Diet: live and frozen micro-foods only - they rarely accept flake or pellets. Microworms, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae. Compatibility: species-only or with chili rasbora / dwarf rasbora. Almost any other fish outcompetes them at feeding. Breeding: males build bubble nests in caves or under leaves. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours. Note: almost the entire genus is conservation-vulnerable due to peat-swamp habitat loss. Captive-bred specimens are the ethical sourcing choice.
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