TankBud

Nagy's licorice gourami

Parosphromenus nagyi

Also known as Pahang licorice gourami, Strawberry licorice gourami

FreshwaterFish

Nagy's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus nagyi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
4.5–6.0
Adult size
1.4 in
3.5 cm
Minimum tank
5 gal
20 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Bubble nester · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Pahang and Terengganu blackwaters, Malaysia

Overview

Nagy's licorice gourami is a slightly larger paro with a famously showy male. It suits a dim species tank and an experienced keeper.

Did you know

Nagy's licorice gourami is named for Peter Nagy, the Austrian aquarist who first collected it and imported it to Europe. He is one of many hobbyists whose names are written permanently into this genus.

Caring for the Nagy's licorice gourami

Keep Nagy's licorice gourami as a single pair in a shaded species tank of at least 5 gal (20 L). Fit it out with roots, dried leaves and narrow caves for spawning and displaying, and keep the light low. Botanicals darken the water and help the male show his colors.

Hold the water soft and acidic, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 6.0, so it can settle. Offer small live and frozen foods such as newly hatched brine shrimp, grindal worm and chopped bloodworm.

It is timid and slow to feed when other fish compete. Keep it alone or with only a few very small, calm fish, and choose any tank mate with caution.

Breeding is hard. The male builds a small bubble nest inside a cave and guards the eggs and fry in very soft, acidic water.

Good to know

Parosphromenus nagyi is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Schaller in 1985. Displaying males turn smoky black, with a glowing turquoise band running through the fins. It is classed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

In the wild

Parosphromenus nagyi lives in blackwater on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the Pahang and Terengganu region. The water there is soft, acidic and stained with tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does a Nagy's licorice gourami need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Nagy's licorice gourami need?

A Nagy's licorice gourami is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.0.

What does a Nagy's licorice gourami eat?

A Nagy's licorice gourami eats small live and frozen foods, such as newly hatched brine shrimp, grindal worm and chopped bloodworm. It is timid and slow to feed when other fish compete.

How big does a Nagy's licorice gourami get?

An adult Nagy's licorice gourami reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).

How does a Nagy's licorice gourami breed?

Nagy's licorice gourami is a bubble nester that spawns in a cave. The male builds a small bubble nest inside the cave and guards the eggs and fry, and breeding is hard.

Related species