What Licorice Gouramis Are and Where They Fit in Your Tank

Licorice gouramis are tiny freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. They grow to about 1.5 inches long and spend most of their time near the bottom or middle of the tank, moving slowly through plants and structures. Unlike many gouramis, they are peaceful and do not chase or harass other fish, making them a good choice for community tanks where aggression is a problem.

These fish are named for their dark brown or black coloring with thin gold or cream stripes running along their body — a pattern that resembles licorice candy. They are labyrinth fish, meaning they breathe air from the surface as well as through their gills, so they do not need strong water circulation and actually prefer calm conditions. This trait makes them well-suited to planted tanks and setups with minimal current.

Licorice gouramis are best kept in groups of at least four to six fish. They are social within their own species and show more natural behavior when housed together. A single licorice gourami will often hide and remain stressed, while a group will forage openly and interact with one another in ways that make them interesting to watch.

Key Takeaways

  • Licorice gouramis grow to 1.5 inches and need a minimum 20-gallon tank for a group of six, with dense plants and low water flow.
  • They are peaceful bottom-dwellers that do not compete with or harm other small, non-aggressive fish in community setups.
  • These fish require warm water between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit and prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
  • They eat small live or frozen foods like daphnia, micro worms, and brine shrimp; dry flake food alone is not sufficient for their health.
  • Licorice gouramis are difficult to breed in home aquariums and are rarely available captive-bred, so most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught.

Tank Size, Setup, and Water Conditions

A group of six licorice gouramis needs a minimum of 20 gallons, though 30 gallons or larger is better if you plan to keep them with other fish. The tank should have plenty of plants — both rooted and floating — because these fish use vegetation for shelter and feel exposed in bare tanks. Java moss, anubias, and cryptocoryne are good choices because they are hardy and create the dense cover licorice gouramis prefer.

Water temperature should stay between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with 75 to 78 being ideal. They tolerate a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 and prefer soft to moderately hard water. Unlike some gouramis, licorice gouramis do not produce much waste and are not heavy bioload fish, but regular water changes of 25 to 30 percent weekly are still necessary to keep nitrate levels low and maintain water quality.

Current should be minimal or absent. These fish come from slow-moving streams and swamps where water movement is gentle. A strong filter output will stress them. If you use a standard hang-on or canister filter, direct the outflow to break the surface gently rather than create a strong current across the tank floor. Many keepers use sponge filters or air-driven filters in licorice gourami tanks because they provide gentle circulation and oxygenation without turbulence.

Feeding and Diet

Licorice gouramis are micropredators in the wild, feeding on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, they do not thrive on dry flake food alone. They need regular access to small live or frozen foods to remain healthy and show natural feeding behavior.

Frozen daphnia, micro worms, and newly hatched brine shrimp are the most practical options for home aquariums. Feed small amounts once or twice daily, only what the fish can consume in a few minutes. Because they are slow eaters and bottom-dwellers, they may not compete well with faster fish at feeding time, so feed them in a separate area or ensure other tank mates are not aggressive feeders. Some keepers also offer small amounts of high-quality micro pellets designed for small fish, but these should supplement rather than replace live or frozen foods.

Licorice gouramis will also graze on biofilm and microorganisms that grow on plants and tank surfaces, so a well-established planted tank with some algae growth supports their natural foraging behavior and reduces the amount of supplemental food needed.

Behavior and Tank Mates

Licorice gouramis are among the most peaceful gouramis available. They do not chase, nip, or harass other fish, and they are not territorial. They spend most of their time in the lower half of the tank, moving slowly through plants and along the substrate. They are most active during low-light periods, particularly in the early morning and evening.

Good tank mates include other small, peaceful fish such as tetras, rasboras, small corydoras catfish, and dwarf shrimp. Avoid large or aggressive fish, fast-moving fish that will out-compete them for food, and fish that eat small invertebrates if you plan to keep shrimp. Do not house them with larger gouramis, bettas, or cichlids, which may chase or injure them.

Licorice gouramis can be kept with dwarf shrimp such as cherry shrimp or amano shrimp, though very young shrimp may be eaten. They are generally safe with snails and will not damage plants. Housing them in a species-only tank with just licorice gouramis and plants is also a valid setup and often brings out the most natural behavior.

Common Health Issues and Lifespan

Licorice gouramis live 4 to 6 years in well-maintained tanks. The most common health problems are related to poor water quality, inadequate diet, and stress from being kept alone or in tanks that are too small or too bare.

Ich (white spot disease) can occur if water temperature drops suddenly or if the fish are stressed. Maintain stable temperature and avoid rapid changes. Fin rot and other bacterial infections are usually signs of poor water conditions or injury from aggressive tank mates. Regular water changes and a clean tank prevent most bacterial problems.

Because most licorice gouramis in the hobby are wild-caught, they may arrive at the store already stressed or carrying parasites. Quarantine new fish for two to four weeks in a separate tank before adding them to your main aquarium. Watch for signs of disease, unusual behavior, or refusal to eat. A stressed licorice gourami will hide constantly and may stop eating, so patience and stable conditions are important during the acclimation period.

Breeding Licorice Gouramis at Home

Breeding licorice gouramis in home aquariums is difficult and rarely successful. Very little is known about their breeding behavior in captivity, and most specimens available in the hobby are wild-caught rather than captive-bred. Unlike some gouramis, they do not build bubble nests, and their exact spawning requirements are not well documented.

If you are interested in attempting to breed them, research is limited, and success is not may provide. Most hobbyists keep licorice gouramis for their peaceful nature and interesting behavior rather than for breeding purposes. If breeding is a goal, focus on sourcing healthy wild-caught fish and maintaining ideal water conditions, then observe their behavior over time to learn what triggers spawning.

Where to Find Licorice Gouramis and What to Expect

Licorice gouramis are not as common as other gourami species and may not be stocked by every aquarium store. Specialty stores that focus on small or planted-tank fish are more likely to carry them. Online retailers that ship live fish also stock them regularly, though shipping costs and stress on the fish should be considered.

Expect to pay between $5 and $12 per fish, depending on the source and the fish's condition. Because they are wild-caught, their appearance and size can vary. When selecting fish, choose individuals that are active, have clear eyes, and show no visible damage or disease. Avoid fish that hide constantly or refuse food at the store, as these are signs of stress or illness.

Before ordering or purchasing, confirm that the store or seller can provide fish that are healthy and acclimated. Ask how long the fish have been in stock and whether they are eating. A reputable seller will be honest about the fish's condition and will not sell obviously stressed or sick individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can licorice gouramis live in a 10-gallon tank?

A 10-gallon tank is too small for a group of licorice gouramis, which need at least 20 gallons. A single fish in 10 gallons will be stressed and hide constantly. If you have limited space, consider a different species or wait until you can set up a larger tank.

Do licorice gouramis need a heater?

Yes. They require water between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, so a heater is necessary unless your room stays consistently warm. An aquarium thermometer helps you monitor temperature and ensure the heater is working correctly.

Will licorice gouramis eat my shrimp?

Adult shrimp are generally safe, but very young or newly molted shrimp may be eaten. If you keep cherry shrimp or other dwarf shrimp, provide dense plants where shrimplets can hide. Monitor the population over time to see whether shrimp are breeding successfully.

Why is my licorice gourami hiding all the time?

Constant hiding usually means stress. Check that the tank has enough plants, the water temperature is stable, and the fish is not being chased by tank mates. If you are keeping only one fish, add at least four more — they are social and hide when alone. If the fish continues to hide after these changes, it may be sick or too stressed to recover.

How often should I do water changes?

Change 25 to 30 percent of the water weekly. Licorice gouramis are sensitive to nitrate buildup, so regular water changes are important for their health. In heavily planted tanks, you may be able to extend the interval slightly, but weekly changes are the standard recommendation.