Parosphromenus is a genus of gouramies native to freshwater in Southeast Asia. All species are highly specialized peat swamp inhabitants native to southeast Asia, and the males are usually brightly colored in breeding dress; however, their need for soft, acidic water and live food prohibits the genus from becoming popular aquarium fish.
Conservation status
In the present day, almost all species of licorice gouramis are endangered. Aquarist-run programs exist to ensure the survival of the many species of licorice gouramis. Trade from specialist breeders is the only way to obtain these rare fish, and specimen must be monitored closely for a species census to check the total population.
Species
The currently recognized species are:
- Parosphromenus alfredi <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 2005</small>
- Parosphromenus allani <small>B. Brown, 1987</small>
- Parosphromenus anjunganensis <small>Kottelat, 1991</small>
- Parosphromenus barbarae
- Parosphromenus bintan <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 1998</small>
- Parosphromenus deissneri <small>(Bleeker, 1859)</small> (licorice gourami)
- Parosphromenus filamentosus <small>Vierke, 1981</small> (spiketail gourami)
- Parosphromenus gunawani <small>I. Schindler & Linke, 2012</small>
- Parosphromenus harveyi <small>B. Brown, 1987</small>
- Parosphromenus juelinae <small>Shi, Guo, Haryono, Hong, & Zhang, 2021</small>
- Parosphromenus kishii <small>Shi, Guo, Haryono, Hong, & Zhang, 2021</small>
- Parosphromenus linkei <small>Kottelat, 1991</small>
- Parosphromenus nagyi <small>Schaller, 1985</small>
- Parosphromenus opallios <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 2005</small>
- Parosphromenus ornaticauda <small>Kottelat, 1991</small>
- Parosphromenus pahuensis <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 2005</small>
- Parosphromenus paludicola <small>Tweedie, 1952</small>
- Parosphromenus parvulus <small>Vierke, 1979</small>
- Parosphromenus phoenicurus <small>I. Schindler & Linke, 2012</small>
- Parosphromenus quindecim <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 2005</small>
- Parosphromenus rubrimontis <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 2005</small>
- Parosphromenus sumatranus <small>Klausewitz, 1955</small>
- Parosphromenus tweediei <small>Kottelat & P. K. L. Ng, 2005</small>
References