Licorice Gourami
Parosphromenus spp.
The Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus spp.) is a semi-aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 4-7.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Southeast Asia
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Licorice Gourami Tank Setup
Give them at least 40 litres (11 US gallons) with gentle flow, water at 75-82°F, and a pH around 4-7. Gouramis breathe air at the surface, so keep it clear of thick film.
What Do Licorice Gouramis Eat?
They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.
Licorice Gourami Tank Mates
Highly sensitive to water quality; requires soft, acidic, tannin-rich water. Endangered in wild. The Licorice Gourami is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Licorice Gouramis Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Licorice Gourami - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Licorice Gouramis need?
Licorice Gouramis need a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Licorice Gouramis need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 4-7, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Licorice Gouramis eat?
Licorice Gouramis have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Licorice Gouramis good for beginners?
Licorice Gouramis are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Licorice Gouramis
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
