Pahu licorice gourami
Parosphromenus pahuensis
Also known as Pahuensis paro
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 5.0–6.5
- Adult size
- 1.1 in
- 2.8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal
- 20 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Origin
- Pahu River area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Overview
The Pahu licorice gourami is a little more forgiving than some of its peat-swamp cousins, but it is still a paro. It is a fish for experienced keepers, and a reasonable first licorice gourami for a well-prepared one.
Did you know
The Pahu licorice gourami lives in slightly less punishing water than most licorice gouramis. Its genus is known for demanding the extremes of soft, acid water.
Caring for the Pahu licorice gourami
Keep a single pair of Pahu licorice gouramis in a quiet, dim species tank of at least 5 gal (20 L). Decorate it with driftwood, dried leaves, small caves and shade.
Hold the pH at 5.0 to 6.5 and the temperature at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C). It still needs soft water with a tannin tint. Feed small live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp nauplii, walter worms and daphnia.
Keep it alone or with just a few very small, gentle fish. Choose tank mates with care, since it is easily crowded out. It follows the genus pattern of cave spawning, with the male caring for the young, and breeding is hard.
Good to know
Parosphromenus pahuensis is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Kottelat and Ng in 2005. It is named for the Muara Pahu district, where it was found. The IUCN lists it as endangered.
In the wild
The Pahu licorice gourami comes from blackwater streams around Muara Pahu in East Kalimantan, Borneo, east of the great peat belt.
Common questions
What size tank does a Pahu licorice gourami need?
A Pahu licorice gourami needs at least 5 gal (20 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Pahu licorice gourami need?
A Pahu licorice gourami is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
What does a Pahu licorice gourami eat?
A Pahu licorice gourami eats small live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp nauplii, walter worms and daphnia.
How big does a Pahu licorice gourami get?
An adult Pahu licorice gourami reaches about 1.1 in (2.8 cm).
How does a Pahu licorice gourami breed?
Pahu licorice gouramis follow the genus pattern of cave spawning, with the male caring for the young. Breeding them is hard.
Related species
1.1 in (2.7 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Dwarf licorice gourami
Parosphromenus parvulus
1.1 in (2.7 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Bukit Merah licorice gourami
Parosphromenus rubrimontis
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Gunawan's licorice gourami
Parosphromenus gunawani
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Juelin's licorice gourami
Parosphromenus juelinae
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Opal licorice gourami
Parosphromenus opallios
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Sumatran licorice gourami
Parosphromenus sumatranus
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)