Fish profile · Osphronemidae

Chocolate gourami

Sphaerichthys osphromenoides

AquariumFreshwaterNative to MalaysiaData Deficient (IUCN)

Chocolate gourami is a small brown labyrinth fish with pale bands across its sides. It inhabits peat waters and incubates its young in the mouth rather than using a bubble nest. In aquariums it is sensitive to water quality and needs soft, acidic conditions.

Last reviewed 26 October 2026 · 5 sources

Photo of Chocolate gourami — (c) Zakqary Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY

Max length: 6 cm
IUCN: DD; Data Deficient
In Malaysia: Native
Family: Osphronemidae; order Perciformes

Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.

How big?

Linear scale · hand 18 cm

Up to 6 cm.

The hand is 18 cm long.

Where in Malaysia

7 open-licence records · GBIF

PLSKDHKTNTRGPNGPRKPHGSGRKULPJYNSNMLKJHRLBNSBHSWK

Recorded (open records)

Recorded in Johor, Pahang, and Selangor. Based on 7 open-licence records on GBIF. Few records can mean few surveys, not few fish.

How to identify

Chocolate-brown oval body with a pointed snout
Narrow pale bands across the sides
Oval body with a pointed snout

Habitat

Peat swamps

Peat-associated blackwater habitats.

Diet: Mainly insects.
Native range: The Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.

Aquarium care

Minimum tank: 38 L
Temperature: 25.6–29.4°C
pH: 4–6.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Group size: 5+

Sources

Last reviewed 26 October 2026