Pahu licorice gourami
Parosphromenus pahuensis
Also known as Pahuensis paro
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
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Pahu River area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
- Family
- Osphronemidae
Overview
The Pahu licorice gourami is a little more forgiving than some of its peat-swamp cousins, but it is still a paro, so keep a single pair in a quiet, dim species tank of about 20 liters. It holds near the bottom around caves and leaf litter. Keep it alone or alongside just a few very small, gentle fish, and pick tankmates with care, since it is easily crowded out. Feed small live and frozen foods, brine shrimp nauplii, walter worm, and daphnia. Because it tolerates a slightly less extreme pH than the peat species, it can be a reasonable first licorice gourami for a well prepared keeper.
In the wild
Parosphromenus pahuensis comes from blackwater streams around Muara Pahu in East Kalimantan, Borneo, sitting at the milder end of the genus's water chemistry. Decorate with driftwood, dried leaves, small caves, and shade. Hold the pH from 5.0 to 6.5, a touch above the strongest blackwater species, and the temperature from 22 to 27 degrees Celsius. Soft water and a tannin tint still matter.
Good to know
Parosphromenus pahuensis is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Kottelat and Ng in 2005, and reaches only about 2.8 centimeters. It is named for the Muara Pahu district where it was found. Breeding is hard and follows the genus pattern of cave spawning and paternal care, though its slightly less extreme water can make it marginally more approachable. The IUCN lists it as endangered.
Did you know
It lives east of the great peat belt in slightly less punishing water than most licorice gouramis, which makes it one of the more approachable species in a genus known for demanding the extremes of soft, acid water.
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 do Pahu licorice gourami need?
Pahu licorice gourami are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
How big do Pahu licorice gourami get?
An adult Pahu licorice gourami reaches about 1.1 in (2.8 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Bettas & gouramis · Gouramis · Advanced fish · Nano fish · Community fish
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Related species
Dwarf licorice gourami
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Parosphromenus juelinaeFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Opal licorice gourami
Parosphromenus opalliosFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Sumatran licorice gourami
Parosphromenus sumatranusFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)