{"product_id":"pho-xua-gourami","title":"Pho Xua 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;\"\u003ePho Xua 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\u003ePho Xua Gourami\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eNanosphronemus gemma\u003c\/em\u003e) — also known as the Gemma Licorice Gourami or Pho Xua Gourami after its collecting locality in northern Vietnam — is a miniature labyrinth fish of exceptional rarity in the hobby. One of the smallest labyrinth fish in the world, it reaches barely 1 inch in length. Males are jewel-like in full display: iridescent blue-green scales on a dark body, vivid blue fin edging, and the subtle but gorgeous patterning that gives the species its epithet \u003cem\u003egemma\u003c\/em\u003e — Latin for \"gem.\" This is a specialist fish that commands serious attention from dedicated nano fish and blackwater aquarists.\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⚠ Rarity \u0026amp; Sensitivity Warning:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNanosphronemus gemma\u003c\/em\u003e is extremely rarely imported and must be considered a sensitive and demanding species. Wild-caught individuals may require acclimatization to frozen or prepared foods before accepting them. Do not add to immature or heavily stocked aquariums. This fish is best kept by experienced aquarists with an established blackwater setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eNative to slow, heavily vegetated streams and ditches in the Pho Xua region of northern Vietnam, a geographically small range that makes the species particularly vulnerable to habitat change. The water in its native habitat is typically soft and slightly acidic to neutral, with abundant leaf litter, submerged roots, and aquatic plants. Unlike its Sumatran and Bornean \u003cem\u003eParosphromenus\u003c\/em\u003e relatives, \u003cem\u003eN. gemma\u003c\/em\u003e appears to tolerate slightly less extreme acidic conditions — pH 6.0–7.0 is appropriate for most captive settings, with soft to moderately soft water (GH below 8). Indian almond leaves, floating plants, and a dark substrate create the subdued, sheltered environment this species needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eAn exceptionally peaceful and timid fish that must be kept in a calm species-specific or near-species-specific setup. Males may display to each other but serious aggression is uncommon in a properly planted aquarium with sufficient sight breaks. Keep as pairs or small groups of 4–8 individuals in a densely planted nano aquarium of 5–10 gallons. Their tiny size means they can be easily harassed or outcompeted by even moderately active tankmates. Suitable companions, if any are kept, are other miniature, peaceful blackwater species of comparable size such as small \u003cem\u003eBoraras\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eSundadanio\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eBubble nest spawners — males build a small bubble nest typically among floating plant roots or under a leaf. The male courts the female beneath the nest with shimmering fin displays; after spawning, he guards the nest and tends the eggs. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or freshly hatched baby brine shrimp as first foods. Successful captive breeding of \u003cem\u003eNanosphronemus gemma\u003c\/em\u003e is an achievement worth documenting — this species is so infrequently imported and so narrowly distributed in the wild that every captive-bred individual has real conservation value.\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 thoroughly to soften), \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/strong\u003e are the foundation of the diet. Live baby brine shrimp and live Moina or Daphnia are strongly recommended especially for newly arrived fish and for conditioning breeding pairs. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily in a calm setting. These fish are extremely small and slow-moving — any faster tankmate will steal their food before they have a chance to eat.\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 — rare specialist species\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 setup strongly recommended\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 inch (2.5 cm) — one of the smallest labyrinth fish\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 of 4–8 — 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;\"\u003e5–10 gallons (nano setup)\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;\"\u003e72–80°F (22–27°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;\"\u003e6.0–7.0\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;\"\u003e0–8 dGH — soft water preferred\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;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets; Hikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia\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;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLive baby brine shrimp; live Moina or Daphnia — especially useful for conditioning and reluctant feeders\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;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePho Xua region, northern Vietnam\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;\"\u003eExtremely rarely imported. One of the smallest labyrinth fish. Bubble nest spawner. Provide floating plants and Indian almond leaves. Very peaceful but must not be mixed with boisterous tankmates. Captive breeding has real conservation value given the narrow wild range.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790244966711,"sku":"Nanosphronemus gemma","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/pho-xua-gourami","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}