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Dwarf licorice gourami

Parosphromenus parvulus

Also known as Parvulus paro, Red spotted pygmy licorice gourami

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf licorice gourami (Parosphromenus parvulus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
4.5–5.8
Adult size
1.1 in
2.7 cm
Minimum tank
5 gal
20 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Central and southern Kalimantan blackwaters, Indonesia

Overview

The dwarf licorice gourami is a tiny, peaceful fish for a dim blackwater species tank. It sits at the demanding end of paro keeping, so it suits experienced keepers.

Did you know

The dwarf licorice gourami's species name, parvulus, is Latin for very small. In a genus where almost nothing tops three and a half centimeters, it is one of the smaller species still.

Caring for the dwarf licorice gourami

Keep a single pair of dwarf licorice gouramis in a small, dimly lit species tank of at least 5 gal (20 L). Set it up as a blackwater tank, with driftwood, a thick layer of dried leaves and tiny caves.

Stable, very soft, acidic water is not optional for this species. Hold the pH at 4.5 to 5.8 and the temperature at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C). Reverse osmosis water is usually the only way to keep it that soft.

Start it on live micro foods only, such as infusoria, microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp. Move it to frozen fare once it is settled and feeding confidently. The dwarf licorice gourami is peaceful but no competitor. Keep it alone or with nothing more than a few of the tiniest, calmest fish.

Breeding is hard. A pair spawns in a cave and the male guards the clutch. The fry are among the tiniest of any aquarium fish.

Good to know

Parosphromenus parvulus is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Vierke in 1979. Males spot their filamentous fins with ember red in display. The IUCN lists it as vulnerable. It is also sold as the parvulus paro or the red spotted pygmy licorice gourami.

In the wild

Parosphromenus parvulus drifts through peat swamp water in central and southern Kalimantan, Borneo. The water there is tea-dark, mineral-poor and strongly acidic.

Common questions

What size tank does a dwarf licorice gourami need?

A dwarf licorice gourami needs at least 5 gal (20 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf licorice gourami need?

A dwarf licorice gourami is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–5.8.

What does a dwarf licorice gourami eat?

A dwarf licorice gourami starts on live micro foods only, such as infusoria, microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp. Once it is settled and feeding confidently, it moves on to frozen fare.

How big does a dwarf licorice gourami get?

An adult dwarf licorice gourami reaches about 1.1 in (2.7 cm).

How does a dwarf licorice gourami breed?

A dwarf licorice gourami pair spawns in a cave, and the male guards the clutch. The fry are among the tiniest of any aquarium fish, and breeding is hard.

Related species