Parosphromenus Linkei

Conservation Status:
Parosphromenus linkei is listed as "Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss and degradation caused by deforestation, land use change, and pollution.

Parosphromenus linkei, also known as the Licorice Gourami is a small freshwater fish species belonging to the family Osphronemidae. Linkei is highly reccomended as a begginer fish for people interested in parosphromenus sp. as they are more robust. Best kept in small groups of 3-6 in a 5 to 10 gallon tanks with small blackwater fish such as Boraras or mouthbrooding bettas like Albimarginata and Channoides.

physical description: This species is characterized by the presence of one to three prominent black blotches in the middle of its midlateral stripe. The black blotches are often surrounded with a green/team metallic mark. It has greyish-brown dorsal, caudal, fins with rows of hyaline spots, and a lanceolate caudal fin with the median ray elongated into a filament. Its fins and to a lesser extent the body are usually colored with a attractive bronze brown tone. Male much longer fins than females particularly the caudal fins where the filament like tips can be quite long.
Personally, we find that linkei to be the easiest to identified from all the other licorice gouramis.

size: up to 1.5cm for males.

location: Inhabits waterways located in Pudukuali, a village situated 2 kilometers north of Sukamara and Tarantang in Kalimantan Tengah, Borneo. Specifically, these creeks can be found in the Sukumara district of the West Kotawaringin Regency in Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Additionally, some of these fish been gathered from an area situated slightly to the east of Pudukuali, near the more town of Pangkalan Bun. However, the complete scope of its distribution is yet to be fully determined.

Habitat: primarily inhabits peat swamp forests and associated blackwater streams, where it often coexists with its close relative, P. opalios. The undisturbed habitats where P. linkei resides are characterized by highly vegetative dense canopy that obstructs the entry of light into these areas. The water in these habitats is usually darkly stained due to humic acids and other chemicals released by decaying organic materials.

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C

pH: 3.0 – 6.5

Hardness: 18 – 72 ppm

Behavior and Diet:
These fish are generally peaceful and shy, preferring to hide among the vegetation or other structures in their environment. They are omnivores, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates, insect larvae, and algae.