Edit Parosphromenus bintan

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Name

Scientific name

Parosphromenus bintan

Described by

Authority Kottelat & Ng, Year 1998

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

Parosphromenus bintan is a liquorice gourami from Indonesia, confirmed only from Bintan Island in the Riau Archipelago and from Bangka. Sim…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

26mm, 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

Indonesia, Bintan, Riau Islands

Writing

Etymology

Parosphromenus: from the Latin para, meaning 'beside', and the generic name Osphromenus. bintan: named for Bintan Resort Corporation (Indonesia and Singapore) …

Distribution

Type locality is Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago province, Indonesia, specifically 'just before km 45 on road from Tanjung Uban to Tanjung Pinang; 1°06'40.1"N,…

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 …

Water conditions

Not written yet

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

In males the dorsal, anal and caudal fins have a thin whitish to bluish margin with a black subdistal band bordered internally by an iridescent bluish or bluis…

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.…

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. have been grouped arbitrarily based on courtship behaviour in males which adopt a 'head-down', 'head-up', or 'horizontal' position depending on species.

P. bintan belongs to the former, more speciose, assemblage in which the male assumes a near-vertical position with the head lowermost and fins splayed during nuptial displays.

Sexually-active males form small territories at the centre of which is a small cave normally formed from leaf litter in nature, although in aquaria any suitable structure may be chosen (see 'Maintenance').

They then attempt to attract females in the vicinity to enter the cave via spectacular displays as described above.

Eggs and milt are released in batches during a series of embraces in which the male wraps its body around that of the female.

Some males construct a rudimentary bubble nest inside the cave while others do not, but either way both male and female attempt to attach the eggs to the ceiling after they are released.

Subsequent spawning embraces may dislodge eggs from the roof of the cave, and inexperienced adults sometimes simply eat them so a degree of patience may be required until the fish get things right.

Following a successful spawn the female leaves the cave and proceeds to defend the surrounding area while the male tends to the brood.

Incubation is normally 24-36 hours with the fry mobile around 4-6 days later.

They initially swim without direction and the male will collect and return them to the 'nest' but after 3-5 additional days are fully free-swimming and leave the cave at which point parental care ceases.

They may require Paramecium, rotifers or similar as a first food but are quickly able to accept Artemia nauplii and suchlike.

If the aquarium is well-structured they can often be raised alongside the parents but in more basic set-ups should be removed and grown on elsewhere.

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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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DOI

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Notes

This species is not generally available in the aquarium hobby on a commercial basis but is occasionally collected and distributed by private aquarists. It's na…

References

6 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