| 1. Conservation Status |
|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphaerichthys osphromenoides |
| Common Name | Chocolate Gourami |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| IUCN Status | Endangered (EN) |
| Distribution | Borneo (Kalimantan, Sarawak); peat swamp forests and blackwater tributaries |
| Notes | Highly sensitive blackwater specialist; maternal mouthbrooder; declining due to peatland drainage and deforestation. |
| 2. Natural Habitat & Ecology |
|---|
| Habitat Type | Shaded peat swamp forest; stagnant or slow‑moving blackwater pools |
| Water | pH 3.0–5.0; conductivity 10–40 µS/cm; heavy humic acids; dissolved oxygen often < 3 mg/L |
| Substrate | Deep leaf litter, peat, submerged roots, decaying botanical matter |
| Behaviour | Timid; surface‑oriented; labyrinth organ used frequently due to hypoxic conditions |
| 3. Water Chemistry Requirements |
|---|
| Temperature | 26–29°C |
| pH | 3.5–5.0 (spawning optimum: 3.8–4.4) |
| Conductivity | 10–40 µS/cm |
| Tannins | Very high; catappa leaves, peat extract, alder cones |
| Lighting | Extremely dim; floating plants essential |
| 4. Social Structure & Behaviour |
|---|
| Group Dynamics | Pairs or small harems (1M:2F) |
| Male Behaviour | Displays flank barring; courts female with slow, hovering movements |
| Female Behaviour | Initiates spawning; takes eggs into buccal cavity |
| Territoriality | Low; mild competition during courtship |
| 5. Conditioning Protocol |
|---|
| Duration | 2–3 weeks |
| Diet | Live foods only: daphnia, grindal worms, mosquito larvae, micro‑worms |
| Environmental Stability | Ultra‑soft water; no large changes; maintain heavy tannins |
| Indicators | Females show abdominal swelling; males intensify patterning |
| 6. Spawning Strategy |
|---|
| Method | Maternal mouthbrooder (female incubates eggs) |
| Spawning Sites | Leaf pockets, root tangles, shaded micro‑caves |
| Spawning Behaviour | Male embraces female; eggs released and fertilised; female collects eggs in mouth |
| Parental Care | Female incubates 14–21 days; no feeding during brooding |
| 7. Spawning Triggers |
|---|
| Pre‑Trigger | Ultra‑soft water (10–20 µS/cm), heavy tannins, stable temperature |
| Trigger Event | Small cool water change (5–10%); fresh botanicals added |
| Additional Stimuli | Lower light further; increase leaf litter depth |
| 8. Eggs & Incubation |
|---|
| Clutch Size | 10–40 eggs |
| Egg Type | Large, adhesive; held in female’s buccal cavity |
| Incubation | 14–21 days depending on temperature |
| Female Role | Maintains aeration by buccal rolling; does not feed during incubation |
| 9. Larval Development |
|---|
| Day 0–3 | Released fry are fully formed; large yolk reserves |
| Day 3–7 | Begin active feeding; remain near leaf litter |
| Week 1–3 | Extremely small fry; require microfoods; avoid bright light |
| Week 3–6 | Labyrinth organ developing; fry become more surface‑active |
| 10. First Foods & Feeding Schedule |
|---|
| Stage 1 (Day 1–7) | Paramecium, rotifers, infusoria |
| Stage 2 (Week 1–3) | Vinegar eels, microworms, tiny Artemia nauplii (if tolerated) |
| Stage 3 (Week 3–6) | Moina, micro‑daphnia, powdered fry foods |
| Stage 4 (6+ weeks) | Small live foods; fine pellets |
