Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Suborder Anabantoidei ( Anabantoidei )
Family Osphronemidae ( Osphronemidae )
Subfamily ( Macropodusinae )
Genus Parosphromenus — Parosphromenus.
Females of some species are very similar, and reliable sex determination is often only possible in males. Since males have a richer coloration, telling the sexes apart is simple. Atmospheric air breathing, common in many other labyrinth fishes, is not used by Parosphromenus. Under good water conditions, they do not seem to need their labyrinth organ, requiring it solely for creating air bubbles during nest building.
When keeping these dwarf fishes, attention must be paid to increased water quality requirements. So far, most successful spawnings have taken place in soft water with a total hardness of 4-6°dH. However, in individual cases, at least in Parosphromenus filamentosus, breeding is also successful in harder water up to 12°dH. Since all Parosphromenus species are closely related and some interbreed, they should be kept isolated from each other. These dwarfs reach a respectable age, and even fish over three years old show full reproductive capacity.
Also kept in aquariums: — Parosphromenus alfredi [Kottelat & Ng, 2005]. Western Malaysia. 4 cm. Unpaired fins with regular perpendicular stripes. In males, the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins have a narrow bluish edge and a black stripe bordered by a bluish-iridescent stripe. The inner part of the caudal fin is red with a dark area at the base. Ventral fins light blue to violet-black with long white filaments; — Parosphromenus bintan [Kottelat & Ng, 1998]. Indonesia, Sumatra, Bintan Island. 3-4 cm. The male’s unpaired fins are iridescent blue to blue-green and black, striped in the following sequence: narrow white or colorless, narrow black, narrow bluish or bluish-greenish, and a wide black or reddish-black band. The caudal fin is rounded with concentric stripes, ventral fins dark blue to black with long white filaments. In adult males, the dorsal fin is pointed and long, in females short;
— Parosphromenus opallios [Kottelat & Ng, 2005]. Indonesia, Borneo. 3 cm. Body blackish-brown with dark stripes. In males, the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins have a narrow greenish-bluish edge and a wide black stripe, closer to the body a blue iridescent stripe, very narrow in the caudal fin, wide (especially anteriorly) in the anal and dorsal fins. A black spot at the base of the caudal fin. Ventral fins and filaments are blue. In adult males, the dorsal fin is pointed and long, in females short; — Parosphromenus ornaticauda [Kottelat, 1991]. Synonym: Parosphromenus parvulus. Indonesia. 3 cm. A dwarf species that differs from other species of the genus by the distinct coloration of the male’s caudal fin (lower half black with a wide violet border; upper half with a wide longitudinal orange stripe and violet upper edge), as well as a large area of black pigment on the dorsal and caudal fins;
— Parosphromenus pahuensis [Kottelat & Ng, 2005]. Indonesia, Borneo. 3 cm. Two black horizontal stripes on a beige-brownish body. Unpaired fins of a uniform brown color, with several rows of violet spots. The caudal fin is rounded, with indistinct vertical rows of dark spots. Ventral fins are colored blue. Females hardly differ from males; — Parosphromenus rubrimontis [Kottelat & Ng, 2005]. Western Malaysia. 4 cm. In males, the body is brown with blackish-brown longitudinal stripes, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with a narrow bluish edge. The inner part of the caudal fin is black, surrounded by a bright red stripe. The ventral fin is black, blue in the lower third. In adult males, the dorsal fin is pointed and long, in females short. In young fish, there is a wide red stripe on the sides of the body, and narrow turquoise stripes on the caudal fin. Red spots are also located in the rear part of the anal and dorsal fins.
Identification: Genus Parosphromenus — Parosphromenus.
— Allan’s Parosphromenus — Parosphromenus allani [Brown, 1987]. Synonym: Parosphromenus alleni. Eastern Malaysia, Borneo – swampy forest waters with dark brown water. 4 cm. Both sexes in a calm state have a brown body with stripes, faded colored fins. During aggression and spawning, the body has longitudinal stripes, unpaired fins have dark red-brown stripes, orange to orange-pink zones with an iridescent white-turquoise border.
The dorsal fin features a distinctive dark “eyespots” surrounded by a bluish halo. The caudal fin is round with a central black spot and irregular striping. Ventral fins in males and females are dark with blue anterior rays. In adult males, the dorsal fin is pointed and long, in females short.
It is best to keep them in small, low aquariums with weak filtration, in pairs. Small and peaceful fish can be added to the community. Aquarium with dense vegetation at the edges and shelters made of driftwood and stones. Males occupy a small territory near the substrate during spawning. Cover the bottom with beech or oak leaves. Water should be soft and acidic, with regular water changes. Feeding with live food is essential because the fish have a hard time getting used to motionless food. Temperature up to 25°C; pH 4.5-6.5.
— Deissner’s Parosphromenus — Parosphromenus deissneri [Bleeker, 1859]. Synonym: Osphromenus deissneri. (Eng. Licorice Gourami). Sumatra, Banka Island, northwestern Singapore – swampy forest waters with dark brown water. 4 cm. The fish have an elongated body, compressed laterally. Males and females have different coloration. The main body color of the male is yellowish to reddish, the upper part of the body is brownish-yellow. There are 3 dark chocolate longitudinal stripes along the flank.
Sometimes dark transverse stripes appear in the lower part of the body and shiny green dots on the gill cover. The fin margins are turquoise-blue. Ventral fins are blue-green. Dorsal and anal fins are elongated. The female is larger, yellow-brown, stripes are poorly visible. In a female ready to spawn, the belly is full and light.
Peaceful fish, staying in the middle and lower water layers. They can be kept in a community aquarium with plenty of shelters (flower pots, rock caves – which can later serve as spawning substrate). The aquarium should be dimly lit, densely planted, with floating plants and slight water movement.
It is best to keep them in pairs or small groups of 6-8 individuals in a species tank. They can be kept in a general aquarium with other fish of similar temperament and size. Most of the time, the fish spend in the lower and middle layers of water. Dark substrate and peaty, acidic waters are important. This species requires ideal keeping conditions and water to display its true colors.
Live food is mandatory for this species. Large food must be chopped before feeding the fish. Sexual dimorphism is well-expressed during the spawning period. They mature at 5-7 months. The bubble nest is built by the fish in a cave or a piece of pipe. The male cares for the eggs and larvae. They live up to 2.5 years. pH 5.5-6.8; dH 4-15°; T 24-27°C.
— Spiketail Licorice Gourami — Parosphromenus filamentosus [Vierke, 1981]. (Eng. Spiketail Licorice Gourami). Southeastern Borneo, vicinity of Banjarmasin. In nature, they live in small forest waters with brown water. 4 cm. Cream-white with two longitudinal coffee-black stripes and a needle-like tail. The female is smaller, fuller, and less contrastingly colored. Adult males develop a lanceolate caudal fin with an elongated middle ray.
A peaceful species, gets along well with small, peaceful species. However, it is best kept in a species aquarium. Somewhat timid, likes to hide in caves. Important: an aquarium with rich vegetation, small rock caves, and driftwood. Spawning is in pairs within a shelter. dH 3-10°, pH about 7, T 23-28°C.
Pseudosphromenus cupanus, Pseudosphromenus dayi.
Macropodus spechti, Macropodus ocellatus. 
