{"product_id":"filament-licorice-gourami","title":"Filament Licorice Gourami","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.4em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.08em;color:#0a2a3a;border-bottom:2px solid #3a7ca5;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:18px;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003eFilament Licorice Gourami\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilament Licorice Gourami\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eParosphromenus filamentosus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the more dramatically marked licorice gouramis, named for the striking filamentous extensions on the dorsal and caudal fins of the male. The body displays bold dark banding on a pale base, and the fins take on iridescent blue and red tones during display — a spectacular sight in a properly set up blackwater aquarium. Native to peat swamp forests and slow blackwater streams of Sumatra, Indonesia, it belongs to the \u003cem\u003eParosphromenus\u003c\/em\u003e genus: a group of miniature labyrinth fish prized among specialists for their extraordinary colors and fascinating behavior, and critically imperiled in the wild due to widespread destruction of their peat swamp habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#fff3e0;border:1px solid #e8c088;padding:14px 18px;color:#7a3a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠ Conservation Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Most \u003cem\u003eParosphromenus\u003c\/em\u003e species, including \u003cem\u003eP. filamentosus\u003c\/em\u003e, are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Peat swamp forests of Sumatra are among the most rapidly disappearing habitats on Earth. Captive keeping and breeding of these fish is a meaningful contribution to their conservation. The Parosphromenus Project (parosphromenus-project.org) connects keepers, breeders, and researchers working to preserve these extraordinary fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eLike all licorice gouramis, \u003cem\u003eParosphromenus filamentosus\u003c\/em\u003e requires a very specific setup to thrive. It is native to blackwater environments with extremely soft, acidic water — pH 4.5–6.5, GH below 5, minimal hardness and alkalinity. The aquarium must replicate these conditions: tannin additions from Indian almond leaves, dried leaves as substrate cover, driftwood, very subdued lighting, and a mature, stable, well-established tank. They are sensitive to water quality and will not tolerate ammonia, nitrite, or sudden parameter changes. Do not attempt to keep these fish in typical community water conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eBest kept as a pair or small group in a species-specific setup of 10 gallons or larger. Males are territorial with each other but generally non-aggressive toward females or other species outside their size range. The full vivid coloration and fin display of the male is only seen in a calm aquarium with appropriate water conditions — fish kept in the wrong conditions typically remain pale and stressed. Provide small cave structures (bamboo tubes, coconut shells, ceramic cave ornaments) as spawning sites. Males establish and defend a cave and perform elaborate, highly colorful courtship displays toward females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eCave spawners — the male courts the female with spectacular fin flaring and iridescent color display inside or near the chosen cave. Eggs are attached to the cave ceiling and guarded by the male. Soft, very acidic water is critical for egg development and fry survival. The fry are tiny and require infusoria or freshly hatched baby brine shrimp as first foods. Successful captive breeding of \u003cem\u003eParosphromenus\u003c\/em\u003e species is a meaningful and worthwhile achievement — these fish are difficult to maintain as a wild population and every established captive breeding group matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#e0f0f8;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding:14px 18px;color:#0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/strong\u003e (soaked), \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms\u003c\/strong\u003e form the core diet. Live baby brine shrimp and live Daphnia are particularly effective for newly arrived or reluctant feeders. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily. These are slow, deliberate feeders — never mix with boisterous or fast-moving fish that will outcompete them for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0a2a3a;border-top:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding-top:18px;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eAdvanced — blackwater specialist\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful — species-specific or near-species setup required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTypical Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e1.5 inches (3.8 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePair or small group — species tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e75–82°F (24–28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e4.5–6.5 (best color and breeding below 6.5)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e0–5 dGH — very soft water essential\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e0–2 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets; Hikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia; Hikari Frozen Tubifex Worms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLive baby brine shrimp; live Daphnia or Moina (best option for reluctant feeders)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSumatra, Indonesia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eNamed for the filamentous fin extensions of the male. Requires blackwater conditions — soft, acidic, tannin-stained. Add Indian almond leaves and driftwood. Cave spawner; provide bamboo tubes or small ceramic caves. Endangered in the wild. Parosphromenus Project: parosphromenus-project.org\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790244933943,"sku":"Parosphromenus filamentosus","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/filament-licorice-gourami","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}