Licorice Gourami Care – Your Ultimate Guide To A Thriving Blackwater

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever peered into a beautifully aquascaped tank and spotted a tiny, iridescent fish that looks more like a living jewel than a creature? Chances are, you might have been looking at a Licorice Gourami. These shy, stunning fish are the hidden gems of the aquarium hobby, but their delicate appearance can sometimes feel intimidating to a budding aquarist.

I promise you, with the right knowledge, providing excellent licorice gourami care is not only achievable but incredibly rewarding. It’s less about complex equipment and more about understanding and recreating their unique natural world right in your own home.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know. We’ll cover how to set up the perfect blackwater habitat, what to feed these tiny predators, who their best tank mates are, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Let’s unlock the secrets to keeping these miniature masterpieces thriving.

Meet the Enigmatic Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus)

Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s get to know these little guys. “Licorice Gourami” isn’t just one fish; it’s a whole group (genus Parosphromenus) of small, labyrinth fish native to the peat swamp forests and blackwater streams of Southeast Asia.

They only grow to about an inch or an inch and a half long, but what they lack in size, they make up for in beauty. Males, especially when displaying for females, light up with incredible blues, reds, and greens. They are a bit shy and reserved, which is a key part of their charm and a critical factor in their care.

Unlike their larger, boisterous cousins like the Blue or Pearl Gourami, these fish are subtle, peaceful, and perfect for a small, dedicated aquarium. This is the first and most important of our licorice gourami care tips: understand their gentle nature.

Creating the Perfect Blackwater Habitat: A Licorice Gourami Care Guide Essential

If you remember one thing from this guide, let it be this: Licorice Gouramis need a blackwater environment to truly flourish. Recreating their natural habitat is the cornerstone of proper licorice gourami care. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds!

Tank Size & Setup

Good news! You don’t need a massive tank. A 5 to 10-gallon aquarium is perfect for a pair or a small group. A larger tank is fine too, but the key is creating a dense, secure environment, not a vast open space.

A tight-fitting lid is a must. Like all labyrinth fish, they breathe atmospheric air and are excellent jumpers. A lid keeps them safe inside and also maintains a layer of warm, humid air above the water, which is important for their sensitive labyrinth organ.

The Magic of Blackwater: Water Parameters

This is where we replicate their native peat swamps. The water in these swamps is extremely soft, acidic, and stained dark with tannins from decaying leaves and wood. This is the environment they are adapted to.

  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C) is a good range. Keep it stable!
  • pH: This is critical. Aim for a highly acidic pH between 4.0 and 6.5. Standard tap water is often too alkaline (high pH).
  • Hardness: They need very soft water. Aim for a GH (General Hardness) of 0-3 dGH.

So, how do you achieve this? Don’t use chemical pH adjusters; they can cause dangerous swings. The natural way is the best way:

  1. Use RO/DI Water: Reverse osmosis/deionized water is stripped of all minerals, giving you a blank slate. You can then remineralize it slightly with a product like Seachem Equilibrium to get the desired softness.
  2. Introduce Tannins: This is the secret to “blackwater.” Add Indian almond leaves (catappa leaves), alder cones, or cholla wood to your tank. They will slowly break down, releasing tannins that lower pH and give the water its characteristic tea-like color.

Substrate, Plants, and Hiding Spots

A dark, soft substrate like sand is ideal, as it mimics their natural environment and won’t hurt their delicate fins. The most important part of the setup is creating a complex world of hiding spots. This makes them feel secure and encourages them to come out more often.

  • Leaf Litter: A layer of catappa or oak leaves on the bottom is non-negotiable. It provides hiding spots, releases beneficial tannins, and encourages the growth of microorganisms (infusoria) that the fish can snack on.
  • Plants: Low-light, slow-growing plants that thrive in acidic water are perfect. Think Cryptocoryne species, Java fern, and Anubias. Floating plants like frogbit or red root floaters are also fantastic for dimming the light and providing cover.
  • Driftwood: Small pieces of spiderwood or mopani wood create excellent hiding spots and release more tannins.

Filtration and Flow

Licorice Gouramis come from still, stagnant waters. They hate strong currents. A gentle, low-flow filter is essential. A small sponge filter is the absolute best choice here. It provides excellent biological filtration with almost no current, making it a top-tier tool for anyone serious about how to licorice gourami care.

A Gourami’s Diet: Feeding Your Delicate Jewels

Here’s another area where Licorice Gouramis differ from your average community fish. They are micropredators, meaning they hunt for tiny, living organisms. In my experience, getting their diet right is just as important as the water chemistry.

Best Foods for Licorice Gouramis

Forget standard fish flakes. Most Licorice Gouramis, especially wild-caught ones, will simply ignore them and starve. You need to offer a variety of small live or frozen foods.

  • Live Foods (The Gold Standard): Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and grindal worms are all eagerly accepted and will bring out their best colors and health.
  • Frozen Foods (A Great Alternative): Frozen daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp are excellent choices. Thaw them in a small cup of tank water before feeding.

Feeding Schedule and Tips

Feed small amounts once or twice a day. Because they are shy, they may not rush out to eat. Make sure the food gets down to where they are hiding. Using a small pipette or turkey baster can help you deliver food directly to their favorite spots.

Watching them hunt for live daphnia among the leaf litter is one of the true benefits of licorice gourami care—it’s a fascinating behavior to observe!

Tank Mates: Choosing Friends Wisely

Due to their timid nature and specific water requirements, choosing tank mates can be tricky. This is a crucial step in our licorice gourami care care guide.

The Species-Only Advantage

Honestly, the best setup for Licorice Gouramis is a species-only tank. This allows them to feel secure, display their natural behaviors, and even breed without competition or stress. A 10-gallon tank with a thick layer of leaves and a group of 6-8 Licorice Gouramis is a stunning sight.

Safe and Peaceful Companions

If you want to create a community, you must choose tank mates with extreme care. They need to be tiny, peaceful, and thrive in the same soft, acidic blackwater conditions.

  • Excellent Choices: Chili Rasboras (Boraras brigittae), Phoenix Rasboras (Boraras merah), Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus), and peaceful shrimp like Red Cherries (though they may eat the shrimplets).
  • The Rule of Thumb: If a fish is boisterous, nippy, or much larger, it’s a bad fit.

Fish to Absolutely Avoid

Avoid any fin-nippers like Tiger Barbs, most tetras, and anything large or aggressive. Even a generally peaceful fish like a Betta can be too aggressive and stressful for a Licorice Gourami.

Common Problems with Licorice Gourami Care (And How to Solve Them)

Even with the best care, you might run into a few bumps. Don’t worry! Here are some common problems with licorice gourami care and how to fix them.

Problem: My Gouramis Are Always Hiding

This is almost always a sign of insecurity. The solution is to add more cover. Add more floating plants to dim the light, more leaf litter for them to hide in, and more wood or small caves. A less-is-more approach to decor does not work for these fish.

Problem: Fungal or Bacterial Infections

These fish are sensitive to poor water quality. Infections often appear if water parameters are unstable or if nitrates are high. The solution is consistent maintenance. Perform small, regular water changes (20-25% weekly) with properly prepared RO water. Keeping tannins high with leaf litter also has natural antibacterial properties.

Problem: My Fish Won’t Eat

If you’re offering flake food, this is the reason. Switch immediately to live or frozen baby brine shrimp or daphnia. If they are still not eating, it could be stress from a lack of cover or harassment from tank mates. Re-evaluate your setup and ensure they feel safe.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Licorice Gourami Care

As responsible aquarists, thinking about our impact is one of the most important licorice gourami care best practices. Many Parosphromenus species are threatened in the wild due to habitat destruction.

Whenever possible, seek out captive-bred fish. This reduces pressure on wild populations and ensures you get a healthier fish that is already accustomed to aquarium life. Supporting breeders who specialize in these species is a fantastic way to contribute to the hobby’s sustainability.

For your tank, practice eco-friendly licorice gourami care by sourcing botanicals sustainably. If you have access to pesticide-free oak or beech trees, you can collect and dry your own leaves instead of buying them. This is a great way to create a natural environment for free!

Frequently Asked Questions About Licorice Gourami Care

Are licorice gouramis good for beginners?

I would call them a “dedicated beginner” fish. They aren’t difficult in terms of behavior, but their strict requirement for soft, acidic water means a beginner must be willing to learn about water chemistry beyond the basics. If you’re excited by the idea of creating a blackwater habitat, then yes, you can absolutely succeed with them!

How can I tell if my licorice gourami is male or female?

Sexing can be tricky when they’re young. However, mature males are typically much more colorful, especially in their fins, which will have vibrant blue, red, or black patterns. Females are generally plainer, with more subdued colors and clearer fins.

Can I keep just one licorice gourami?

You can, but it’s not ideal. They are social in their own subtle way and do best in pairs or small groups where they can interact. Keeping a single one may cause it to be perpetually shy and reclusive.

Why are my licorice gouramis losing their color?

Loss of color is almost always a sign of stress or incorrect water parameters. Test your pH and water hardness first. If those are fine, check for aggressive tank mates, a lack of hiding places, or a boring diet. Adding live foods often triggers a dramatic improvement in color.

The Rewarding Journey of Keeping a Living Jewel

We’ve covered a lot, from the perfect blackwater setup to the nuances of their diet. The journey of licorice gourami care is one of patience, observation, and creating a slice of a wild ecosystem in your home.

Remember the keys to success: soft, acidic water rich with tannins, a diet of tiny live or frozen foods, and a densely decorated tank with plenty of hiding spots. If you provide them with this environment, you won’t just be keeping fish—you’ll be curating a living work of art.

Go forth and create your own beautiful, thriving jewel box aquarium. The reward of seeing these stunning little fish flash their colors as they dance through the leaves is one of the greatest joys in the hobby. Happy fishkeeping!

Howard Parker
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