Licorice gourami - Parosphromenus ornaticauda

Scientific name: Parosphromenus ornaticauda

Common name: Licorice gourami

Family: Osphronemidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 2 - 3 cm (0.79 - 1.18 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 4 - 6.5

Recommended water hardness: 0 - 3°N (0 - 53.57ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 22 - 26 °C (71.6 - 78.8°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Southeast Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus ornaticauda) is a tiny, peat-swamp labyrinth fish endemic to West Kalimantan (Borneo, Indonesia), known from a handful of localities in the Kapuas drainage near Anjungan. It inhabits forested blackwater swamps and creeks with tea-stained, extremely soft and acidic water, leaf litter, and dim light. Adults are truly small (often 2–3 cm TL; males max ~1.8 cm SL reported) and display striking male caudal-fin patterning. Despite having a labyrinth organ, they live close to cover and the substrate and only occasionally surface.

Food and Feeding

P. ornaticauda is a micro-predator and rarely accepts dry foods. Base the diet on live and fine frozen fare: newly-hatched brine shrimp (nauplii), Daphnia, Moina, grindal and microworms, and small insect larvae (e.g., Chironomus species sized appropriately). If attempting prepared foods, use very small soft micro-granules and expect a long weaning period. Offer tiny portions 1–2× daily to avoid fouling in low-buffer water.

Sexing

Males show stronger contrast and the diagnostic caudal pattern; fins (dorsal/caudal/anal) carry more black pigment with orange to red elements. Females are plainer, smaller-finned, and fuller-bodied when ripe. Juveniles are difficult to sex until coloration develops.

Breeding

A cave-associated bubble-nester: the male courts under a small cavity (half coconut, film canister, tight rock crevice). He builds a rudimentary bubble nest on the cave ceiling, defends and tends eggs and larvae. Provide very soft, acidic water and low light—eggs and fry are light-sensitive.

Water for spawning: pH ~4.0–6.0 (ideally 4–5.5), GH/KH ~0–2 °dH, temperature 22–26 °C.
Set-up: leaf litter, alder cones/Indian almond leaves, tight caves, dark substrate, minimal surface agitation (sponge filtration).
Timeline (typical): eggs hatch in ~24–48 h; larvae hang under the roof; free-swimming in ~3–5 days. First foods: infusoria/Paramecium, then Artemia nauplii.
Parental care: the male guards; if stress occurs, remove adults once fry are free-swimming.

Lifespan

Typically 3–5 years with stable husbandry, cool end of the range, and high-quality live foods.

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

Footprint: species tanks from 30–45 L (8–12 US gal) with ample cover; long, low tanks preferred over tall ones.
Temperature: 22–26 °C (71.6–78.8 °F); avoid long periods >27–28 °C.
pH: 4.0–6.5 (acidic; many localities ~4–5.5).
Hardness: GH/KH ~0–3 °dH; conductivity often <50–100 µS/cm. Use RO/DI water with botanicals to achieve this.
Filtration: gentle (air-driven sponge), very clean, with minimal flow and surface disturbance.
Aquascape: leaf litter, seed pods, driftwood, tight caves; dim/filtered light. Floating plants help.
Maintenance: small, frequent water changes (10–15% 1–2× weekly) with matched TDS/pH/temp; avoid abrupt chemistry shifts.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Best in a species-only set-up. If mixing, use tiny, calm blackwater species that won’t outcompete them (e.g., very quiet rasboras) and only in larger tanks with abundant cover. Avoid active feeders and anything large enough to harass or outcompete. Maintain as pairs or trios (1 male with 1–2 females) with multiple, line-of-sight-breaking caves to reduce male territoriality.

Behaviour & Placement in the Tank

Despite the labyrinth organ, they spend most time low to mid-water among cover, hovering under leaves and in caves; they are shy and easily stressed by bright light and strong flow.

Care Notes

Endangered in the wild: wild populations are Critically Endangered; prefer captive-bred stock whenever possible.
Sensitive water chemistry: buffering is minimal in blackwater—test conductivity/TDS; stability beats chasing numbers.
Feeding realism: plan for live foods; do not expect routine acceptance of flakes.

Short Description

A tiny, cave-nesting licorice gourami from the Kapuas peat swamps of Borneo that thrives only in very soft, acidic blackwater, subdued light, and with a diet of small live foods. Keep in species tanks as pairs/trios with tight caves and botanicals for best results.

Q&A

Can I keep them in neutral tap water? Not recommended. They need ultra-soft, acidic water; long-term health and breeding suffer in neutral/alkaline conditions.
Do they build bubble nests like bettas? Yes—small, cave-attached bubble nests guarded by the male.
Where are they in the tank? Mostly lower to mid levels under cover, not at the surface.