Licorice Gourami

About

Found in the peat swamps and associated slow-moving streams of Indonesian Borneo, Parosphromenus anjunganensis is one of roughly twenty recognized species in the licorice gourami group. Small labyrinth fish that have developed a devoted following among specialist hobbyists. Like other members of the genus, this fish rarely appears through commercial channels and instead moves through networks of private collectors, so tracking one down takes some effort. Males are identifiable by their reddish-brown dorsal, anal, and caudal fins edged with a thin blue or whitish margin, though a second form with additional blue banding exists and its origins remain unclear. Breeding behavior is particularly interesting: sexually active males stake out small cave territories and perform dramatic head-down courtship displays with fins fully fanned, then share egg-attachment duties with the female before taking sole responsibility for guarding the brood. Despite being listed as beginner-appropriate in terms of basic care, this species is best kept in a dedicated setup rather than a community tank. Mixing it with other Parosphromenus species risks hybridization, and its conservation status makes responsible husbandry a priority. Small, peaceful cyprinids like Boraras make acceptable companions if you prefer not to keep a species-only tank. A well-planted, leaf-littered aquarium with soft, acidic water suits it best.