Choc Gouramies

In the early 1970's, I saw Chocolate Gouramis in our local pet store for the first time, but was warned by the pet shop owner that they are sensitive and difficult to keep. Since I was inexperienced at the time and because they were relatively expensive as "experimental" fish, I did not brave the challenge of keeping any.
Subsequently, having expanded my experience and kept thousands of fish (including "sensitive" Discuss) I feel qualified to risk keeping these, but I have not seen any around since that time......

Does anyone know if they are still available as aquarium pets or have their sensitivity made them unsuitable for "amateur" keeping??

 

They are avaliable, but their demand is quite low. Besides their sensitivity, which is an off-putting factor for many fishkeepers and stores, they aren't the most colourful or best looking fish either. I'm guessing that really specialised stores or some of the sponsors on this site would be able to get them for you.

 

In fact Salmon... I am obsessed by them (since 1970)... & if I can get any, it'll be fantastic.... I think they are beautiful.

 

I successfully bred Chocolate Gouramis - Sphaerichthys osphromenoides in the early 70's and supplied a limited number of stores but they never were overly popular or sought after by the general hobbyist. I must however admit that I have not seen them in SA for quite some time.

 

They come into the big wholesalers almost everyweek. they are best kept iwht indian almond leaves etc

 

Thanks for that info Henk (I was a bit concerned that they might also be on the blacklist when I saw you replying to this Henk):bigsmile::bigsmile:

I'm currently on leave and will be away for a coupla days. I will pursue that idea when I get back next week..... (and also try to get hold of indian almond leaves then)

And Fanie.... If I can just keep them successfully, it'll be wonderfull, but if they happen to breed as well... It'll be an added bonus.

 

It is a shame that they are not regarded as especially pretty. I like the combination of browns that they display. Cheetah, have you also looked into the licorice gouramis? Parosphromenus deissneri and other Parosphromenus species. Another stunning little fish. Keep us posted on those Chocolate gouramis if you get them.

 

Chocolate... Liquorice... it's just a different flavour... He! He!... I wanna breed them not eat them...

But Eye Candy..... My plans are narrowing down, now that I know they are in fact still available..... Will open up a journal the day I get them.

 

I know, funny that they have these Candy names! I hate licorice personally. Good, look forward to the journal...

Cheers,

ECS

 

Just googled Parosphromenus deissneri and other Parosphromenus species stunning looking fish , can they be kept in a community tank or not ?

 

Donny, they are a bit sensitive to keep in a general community, but that isn't to say that they can't be kept with other fish. I've seen them in a community with some Kuhli loaches and some Badis, and it looked quite nice too

 

You could probably add some of the Boraras species to the mix, especially B. uropthalmoides, merah, and brigittae. They stay very tiny and are very peaceful.

 

I was surprised to see some at our lps. I was also surprised to see how many survived in there tank. There were 5 and and about 2 months later there were 2 left. I think thats good for a pet store.
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Gourami, Chocolate.htm

This is a care sheet for them. It just says how hard it is to keep them.
At our pet store they were R50.

 

Wow!!....at that price I'll take 10 of ém..... Any of our sponsors.... Pm me... you know what you can make!

 

I also just googled the Parosphromenus deissneri and wow!!!... anyone ever seen any of those in SA.... Suddenly... I now have 2 objectives......

 

I read your link on Chocs (thanks Eel), and suddenly, I'm even more insecure about keeping them.....

 

Nice little fish, isn't it?

 

Stop tempting me Madelena!!

 

Have not seen them but have read on a forum that there are people here that have them.