TankBud

Quindecim licorice gourami

Parosphromenus quindecim

Also known as Manis Mata licorice gourami, Queen licorice gourami

FreshwaterFish

Quindecim licorice gourami (Parosphromenus quindecim)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
4.5–6.0
Adult size
1.3 in
3.4 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Manis Mata region, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Overview

The Quindecim licorice gourami is a relatively robust paro, but it is still kept the specialist way. It suits an experienced keeper.

Did you know

The Quindecim licorice gourami's odd name is simply the Latin for fifteen. It was chosen not for any ranking but for the fifteen spines counted in its dorsal fin. That small detail helps tell it from its close relatives.

Caring for the Quindecim licorice gourami

Keep a single pair of Quindecim licorice gouramis in a dim, botanical species tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Use driftwood, a layer of dried leaves and narrow caves, and keep the lights low.

Hold the water soft and stable, at a pH of 4.5 to 6.0 and 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C). Soften tap water by reverse osmosis to reach that range. Condition the fish on small live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp nauplii, microworms and moina.

Keep the pair alone or with only a few tiny, calm fish. Weigh every tank mate choice carefully, as it competes poorly for food.

The male guards the eggs and fry in a cave, and the fry need very soft, acidic water. Breeding is hard, but a settled pair will breed for a patient keeper.

Good to know

Parosphromenus quindecim is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Kottelat and Ng in 2005. The IUCN lists it as critically endangered.

In the wild

The Quindecim licorice gourami lives in peat swamp blackwater in the Pawan river basin, around Manis Mata in West Kalimantan, Borneo. The soft, acidic, tannin-stained water there is shaded by forest.

Common questions

What size tank does a Quindecim licorice gourami need?

A Quindecim licorice gourami needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Quindecim licorice gourami need?

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

What does a Quindecim licorice gourami eat?

A Quindecim licorice gourami eats small live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp nauplii, microworms and moina.

How big does a Quindecim licorice gourami get?

An adult Quindecim licorice gourami reaches about 1.3 in (3.4 cm).

How does a Quindecim licorice gourami breed?

Quindecim licorice gourami males guard the eggs and fry in a cave, and the fry need very soft, acidic water. Breeding is hard, but a settled pair will breed for a patient keeper.

Related species