Parosphromenus Linkei

Imported on October 17, 2025 — shipping begins on October 26, 2025

Important note: these fish are WILD caught, please proceed with caution.

Parosphromenus linkei (“Linke’s Licorice Gourami”)

Parosphromenus linkei is a small, striking species of Licorice Gourami native to the peat-swamp forests of Central Kalimantan (Borneo, Indonesia). Named in honor of Horst Linke, one of the foremost experts on Parosphromenus, this species inhabits extremely soft, acidic, tannin-rich waters shaded by dense forest canopy. Males display a velvety black body with iridescent turquoise to blue fin bands and delicate white edge highlights — an elegant contrast that glows in blackwater aquariums. Females are smaller and more subdued, showing faint iridescence and a silvery-brown tone.

Size:
Adults reach approximately 3.0–3.5 cm (≈ 1.2–1.4″) in standard length.

Water parameters:
Extremely soft, acidic blackwater conditions are essential to replicate their natural peat-swamp habitat.
pH 3.5 – 6.0
GH ≤ 2 °d
KH ≤ 1 °d
TDS < 50 ppm
Temperature 22 – 26 °C (72 – 79 °F)
Provide still or very gentle water with leaf litter, driftwood, alder cones, and floating botanicals under subdued lighting. Peat filtration and mature biofilm are strongly recommended.

Food:
These are strictly live-food feeders.
Feed only live microworms, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, vinegar eels, grindal worms, and mosquito larvae.
They will not accept dry or frozen food and must have a constant supply of suitable live prey to survive and thrive.

Tankmates:
Best kept in a species-only aquarium or with other small, passive blackwater fish requiring identical ultra-soft, acidic conditions.
Pairs or trios (1 male with 1–2 females) are ideal.
Avoid any active, larger, or fast-feeding species that will outcompete them.

Breeding:
A cave or crevice spawner. The male guards the eggs and fry inside small shelters such as leaf tubes, coconut caves, or film canisters.
Spawning is often triggered by the introduction of fresh, soft rainwater and the presence of leaf litter.
Eggs hatch in about 3 days; fry are minute and require infusoria or rotifers before being weaned onto baby brine shrimp.
Both adults and fry are highly sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry.

Important note:
These are wild-caught, live-food-only Licorice Gouramis collected from peat-swamp forests of Central Kalimantan.
They require highly specialized conditions — extremely soft, acidic water, dim lighting, and a mature blackwater setup.
Not suitable for beginners; recommended only for experienced aquarists with established live-food cultures and stable blackwater systems.
Under proper care, Parosphromenus linkei displays remarkable coloration and fascinating courtship behavior rarely seen in captivity.