Brian (Error),
Sorry for not replying to your chocolate gourami question sooner. I must have been very lucky to have received a group of five chocolate gouramis that began eating prepared food from day one. They definitely seem to like a varied diet, so I fed them OSI Flakes, ON Brine Shrimp Plus, Tetra Delicia, Cyclops-eeze, and freshly hatched brine shrimp throughout the week.
Water was kept very clean. Regular 50% water changes every weekend. Eheim Ecco Canister filter.
They were a little shy at first, but once they became established, I found them as hardy as rummynose tetras.
Clean water, a densely planted tank, warm temperature (78F or more), and a varied diet seems to be a recipe for long term success.
Give them a try! They are among the most charming, rewarding fish I've tried to date.
Carlos