I've set up a biotope aquarium for four chocolate gouramis. Here are three of them -



I understand these fish are relatively difficult but have done some research, of course.

Tank size - 60x30x30cm (24x12x12") - approx 50 litres.

Water is RO, pH is around 6, temp 29C/85F.

Substrate is silver sand, decor is Sumatra wood and bogwood with Indian almond leaves. The water is staining nicely. Filter is a small internal with adjustable flow (set to low).

They are taking dry foods well after a few hours of introduction. I will feed frozed brineshrimp regularly too.

I have a load of floating plants on there way.

Is there anything else I should consider to keep these lovely fish healthy?

What water changes would you recommend? Should I add minerals to the RO, or is a very low pH ok?

Had my chocolates a few month now in a planted tank (base is peat, sand, plant food, sand), my ph is around 6.8 with a with a lovely lump of bogwood tanning the water (same size tank as yourself).

Lots of floating riccia and other plants.

The fish were young when I got them but have now coloured up lovely and grown quite big, they love live food so I always give them at least one feed of grindal worm a day, live brine shrimp if there is surplus from feeding the fry in the shed.

They much prefer live food to dried but will take dry.

Small fluval 1+ filtering it set to one side of the tank to avoid too much water movement, plus the floating plants keep that to a minimum as well.

I use tap condition water and do 10/15% water changes 2/3 times a week, clean the filter once every other week.

This post has been edited by Amerce: Jan 7 2008, 08:07 AM

I've been looking for these for ages, where did you find them george? Your local Maidenhead?

Yes, the Rutland branch though, not Peterborough. Nice store actually.

They weren't for sale though, as they were looking poorly. They soon perked up in my tank though.

If you mention me to the manager, John, then he may be able to help you. I think he may sell them but without a livestock guarantee.

I have no experience of these fish at all, but from what I hear they are resnobally easy to breed given the correct conditons and a big group.

Small water changes done 3 times a week work well, but other than that, it seems that you wont go far wrong.

Good luck with them!

Hey george,

just while i'm here.

I would recommend the book by Hans Jochim Richter published in about 1984 called Gouramis & Other Anabantoids. I bought this for about £2-3 second hand and its fantastic regarding chocolate gouramis. Its the first detailed photo journal of breeding these guys.... amazing......... as is some of the clothes and beards

If you cannot get a copy drop me a line. I'm sure I could lend you it - or something else absolutely within copyright law of course. *nudge wink*

This post has been edited by Maximumbob: Jan 8 2008, 10:29 PM