Edit Parosphromenus allani

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Name

Scientific name

Parosphromenus allani

Described by

Authority Brown, Year 1987

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 12 credited

Summary

Parosphromenus allani is a liquorice gourami from Sarawak in Borneo, East Malaysia, to which it appears endemic. Its type description was a…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

35mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 40 cm, Minimum depth 20 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–28°C, pH 3–6.5

Hardness

1–4dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Malaysia, Borneo, Kayan, Rajang, Stunggang

Writing

Etymology

Parosphromenus: from the Latin para, meaning 'beside', and the generic name Osphromenus. allani: named for Allan Brown.

Distribution

Type locality is given only as 'Sarawak state, Borneo, East Malaysia', with the material deriving from Sibu Division in western Sarawak. It's since been record…

Habitat

A stenotypic inhabitant of peat swamp forests and associated blackwater streams. In unaltered habitats the dense canopy of branches above means very little lig…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 40 ∗ 20 cm or equivalent is sufficient for a pair.

Maintenance

Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance. Driftwood roots and branches can …

Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance.

Driftwood roots and branches can be used and placed such a way that a few shady spots are formed, and clay plant pots, lengths of piping or even plastic camera-film containers can be included to provide further shelter and potential spawning sites.

The addition of dried leaf litter further emphasises the natural feel and as well as offering additional cover for the fish brings with it the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs.

These can provide a valuable secondary food source for fry and the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are also considered beneficial for fishes from blackwater environments. Alder cones may also be used for the latter purpose.

Like others in the genus this species does best under fairly dim lighting. You can add aquatic plant species that can survive under such conditions such as Microsorum, Taxiphyllum or Cryptocoryne spp., while floating vegetation, especially Ceratopteris spp., is also useful.

Filtration need not be too strong, with an air-powered sponge filter or similar adequate, and since this species tends to be maintained in pairs (see 'Behaviour and Compatibility') a filter may not be required at all provided the fish are not overfed and maintenance is stringent.

The latter must include small weekly water changes of 5-10 % aquarium volume with irregular or larger changes not recommended.

All Parosphromenus spp. require acidic conditions with negligible carbonate hardness and very low general hardness so a reverse osmosis unit or other method of obtaining soft water may need to be employed, and this can be further acidified using phosphoric acid or similar if necessary.

There is no need to use natural peat, the collection of which is both unsustainable and environmentally-destructive.

It goes without saying that these are fishes are sensitive to fluctuating organic wastes and should never be introduced to biologically-immature aquaria.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Water conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C; values towards the lower end of this range are best for general care while temporarily raising the temperature can help induce spawnin…

Diet

This species is chiefly a micropredator feeding on tiny aquatic invertebrates, therefore in the aquarium it must be offered a variety of small live foods such …

Behaviour and compatibility

Not recommended for the general community aquarium for reasons already touched upon. It's care requirements, disposition, and especially conservation status di…

Sexual dimorphism

This species has never been properly-diagnosed (see 'Notes') but as in other members of the genus males are far more colourful than females, with the latter ap…

Reproduction

Normally spawns in small caves or among leaf litter and forms temporary pair bonds with the male solely responsible for egg and brood-care. Parosphromenus spp.…

Notes

This species is not available on a commercial basis in the aquarium hobby but is occasionally collected and distributed by private aquarists. Its type descript…

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References