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Chocolate gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) — Osphronemidae

Chocolate gourami

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Family: Osphronemidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Chocolate gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The chocolate gourami is a small labyrinth fish (Osphronemidae) from Southeast Asia. The species is small and has a chocolate-brown body with pale-yellow crossbars. It lives exclusively in blackwater peat swamps with soft, acidic water. Like other labyrinth fishes it can gulp air at the surface with an accessory breathing organ. Notably, the female broods the eggs in her mouth. It feeds on small zooplankton and insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chocolate gourami?

The Chocolate gourami has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Chocolate gourami live?

The Chocolate gourami lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Chocolate gourami get?

The Chocolate gourami grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Chocolate gourami dangerous to humans?

No, the Chocolate gourami is harmless to humans.

Is the Chocolate gourami edible?

The Chocolate gourami is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Chocoladegoerami sourced
English name
Chocolate gourami verified
Scientific name
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
Family
Osphronemidae
Other names
Chocolate gourami verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Osphronemidae

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