A small, peaceful gourami species found in the blackwater peat swamps of Borneo, the Samurai Chocolate Gourami or Vaillanti Gourami is relatively rare in the hobby due to its relatively restricted range and unique requirements. In the wild, these fish inhabit warm, highly acidic waters with pH as low as 4.0, and in the aquarium it will do best if kept in soft, slightly acidic water as well. The addition of tannins to the water by using Indian Almond Leaves or Bark is useful to help this species thrive. A sexually dimorphic species as adults, females in breeding coloration display a striking pattern of vertical red bars.