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Sharpnose Chocolate Gourami
Sphaerichthys acrostoma
📍 Southeast Asia
The Sharpnose Chocolate Gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish native to Southeast Asia, known for its rich brown coloration and distinctive pointed snout. These shy, gentle fish are best kept in small groups and prefer heavily planted tanks with dim lighting. They are excellent for planted aquariums and community setups with similarly peaceful species.
Care Guide
Diet
Feed small live foods such as daphnia, micro worms, and brine shrimp 2-3 times daily. Supplement with high-quality micro pellets and occasional blanched vegetables. These fish have small mouths and require appropriately sized food items.
Behavior
Sharpnose Chocolate Gouramis are shy, schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 4 to feel secure. They spend most of their time in the middle water column, exploring plants and substrate. They are nocturnal feeders and prefer dimly lit environments with plenty of vegetation for shelter.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is challenging and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They are bubble nest builders, but require very specific conditions including soft, acidic water and dense vegetation. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria and liquid fry food.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament; compatible water parameters
Small, peaceful, and thrives in similar warm, soft water conditions
Peaceful algae eater that won't compete for food or space
Provides shelter and creates ideal planted tank environment
Dense vegetation offers security and natural food sources
Peaceful invertebrate that shares similar water preferences
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Increase temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily 25% water changes, use salt baths or medication containing malachite green if severe
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stress, use antibacterial medication if bacterial infection is confirmed
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, scratching behavior
Increase temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), dim lighting, use copper-free medication, perform daily water changes
Bacterial Infection
Sores on body, torn fins, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite
Improve water quality, isolate affected fish, use broad-spectrum antibacterial medication, maintain pristine tank conditions
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - small live foods, micro pellets, and vegetable matter
- lifespan
- 4-6 years
- max size
- 3 cm (1.2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5-7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2-8 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)