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Harvey's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus harveyi) — Osphronemidae

Harvey's licorice gourami

Parosphromenus harveyi
Family: Osphronemidae

The Harvey's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus harveyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Malaysia

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Description

Harvey's licorice gourami is a very small labyrinth fish (Osphronemidae) from blackwater peat swamps of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, dark-brown body that lights up in courtship with iridescent blue and red fin margins. As a labyrinth fish it can gulp air in oxygen-poor water. It lives hidden among leaf litter and roots and eats small invertebrates. Through drainage of its peat swamps the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Harvey's licorice gourami?

The Harvey's licorice gourami has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Harvey's licorice gourami live?

The Harvey's licorice gourami lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Malaysia

How big does the Harvey's licorice gourami get?

The Harvey's licorice gourami grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Harvey's licorice gourami dangerous to humans?

No, the Harvey's licorice gourami is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Harvey's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus harveyi) — Osphronemidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Akmal Idham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Harvey's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus harveyi) — Osphronemidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) MOHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN SABRI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Harvey's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus harveyi) — Osphronemidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Rai.zira (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Harvey's licorice gourami (Parosphromenus harveyi) — Osphronemidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) memo_1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Harvey's licorice gourami sourced
Scientific name
Parosphromenus harveyi
Family
Osphronemidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Malaysia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Parosphromenus

More from the family Osphronemidae

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