This species has occasionally appears in the aquarium trade in substantial quantities but is not an easy species to maintain in captivity and often susceptible to disease post-import.

It’s sometimes sold as ‘ornate licorice gourami’.

It’s among the smallest members of the gen…

Endemic to Central Kalimantan (Kalimantan Tengah) province, Borneo, Indonesia although the full extent of its range remains somewhat unclear.

Initial collections were from the southwestern tip of the province, in the Jelai Bila river basin near Sukamara and Lamand basin close to Pangkalan Bun, both of which are tributaries within the Arut drainage, while it’s subsequently been recorded in the Benipah river system further east.

In males the dorsal, anal and caudal have a black subdistal band bordered on either side by bluish iridescent bands, with the inner one significantly thicker.

The pelvic fins are iridescent emerald green with a dark blotch at the base and a subdistal dark spot, while the pectoral fins are hyaline.

This species is said to be slightly easier to maintain than the majority of congeners and is therefore a recommended choice for those new to maintaining Parosphromenus spp. in the aquarium.

It’s occasionally available on a commercial basis and we’ve seen it traded as ‘moonspot licorice gourami’ in the past.

There exist at least three colour forms on…

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. harveyi belongs to the former, most abundant, assemblage in which the male assumes a near-vertical position with the head lowermost and fins splayed during nuptial displays.

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 name is sometimes misapplied to commercial shipments of other species, and there also exist a number of other fish with rounded caudal-fins that may or may not be conspecific, including P. sp. ‘blue line’ and P. sp. ‘Selatan’ from Sumatra.

It’s care requirements, disposition, and especially conservation status dictate that it should be maintained alone or alongside a group of small, peaceful cyprinids such as Boraras or Sundadanio spp.

Likewise, different Parosphromenus spp. should not be kept together since the females of many are very difficult to tell apart and some are undoubtedly capable of hybridising.

Type locality is ‘Kota Tinggi, Mawai-Desaru road, Johor, Peninsula Malaysia’ and this species is endemic to a small portion of eastern Johor state, Peninsular Malaysia around the towns of Kota Tinggi, Mawai and Desaru.

A great deal of its original habitat has been lost via deforestation and other human alterations and it’s considered in grave danger of extinction.

Not recommended for the standard community set-up for reasons already touched upon. It’s requirements and disposition mean it’s best kept alone or with very peaceful species since much bigger or more vigorous fishes are likely to intimidate and outcompete it.

Some small cyprinids and loaches that inhabit similar environments in nature are compat…

Inhabits freshwater swamps and associated streams, typically shaded from the sun by dense riparian vegetation. The water is normally clear or lightly stained with tannins, and the fish found in water less than a metre deep alongside related species including Betta edithae, B. miniopinna, and B. fusca. PH has been measured to range between 4.9-5.5.