More info
Datasheet
| Minimum Tank Size | 60 litres / 15.85 US gallons |
| Maximum Size | 5.5cm / 2.17inches |
| Temperature | 21°C / 69.80°F - 25°C / 77.00°F |
| Hardness | 0.00dgH / 0ppm - 3.03dgH / 54ppm |
| pH | 3.5-6.5 |
General Description
The Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami, also known as the Samurai gourami or Samurai Zebra Chocolate Gourami, is a species with a unique color pattern that sets it apart from other members of its genus. It is a slow-moving fish that exhibits interesting behavior when kept in groups. This species possesses an accessory breathing organ called the labyrinth organ, allowing it to breathe atmospheric air to some extent. Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami is a micropredator primarily feeding on small aquatic organisms.
Aquarium Setup
Maintaining Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami in a dimly lit aquarium with soft, sandy substrate, wood roots, and branches for cover is ideal. Adding dried leaf litter enhances the natural feel and aids in the growth of beneficial microorganisms. The use of ceramic flowerpots, plastic piping, and live plants like Microsorum and Cryptocoryne is recommended. The tank should have minimal water flow, and weekly water changes of 10-15% are advised in lightly stocked tanks.
Behaviour
Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami should be housed with peaceful tankmates as it can be easily intimidated or outcompeted for food. While not schooling fish, they show a preference for interacting with conspecifics. In groups, hierarchies form, with dominant individuals chasing away rivals during feeding or to protect their territory. Maintaining this species in numbers may promote the formation of breeding pairs.
Feeding and Diet
In the aquarium, these fish can be initially picky eaters but will learn to accept dried or prepared foods over time. Offering daily meals of small live or frozen foods such as Artemia nauplii and Daphnia is essential for their ideal coloration and health. Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami primarily preys on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and zooplankton.
Reproduction & Dimorphism
Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami is a paternal mouthbrooder, where the male carries the fertilized eggs in his mouth for 7-20 days before releasing free-swimming juveniles. Breeding pairs may be kept in a separate setup to ensure fry survival. Sexes can be challenging to differentiate, but females display a red and green pattern during courtship, while males retain a brown coloration.
Habitat and Distribution
Endemic to the Kapuas drainage in Indonesia, Vaillant's Chocolate Gourami is found in peat swamps and blackwater streams with low pH levels and minimal dissolved minerals. Due to habitat degradation from human activities like deforestation and overfishing, conservation efforts have been challenging. Understanding the species' natural habitat is crucial for successfully replicating its environmental conditions in captivity.