Sparkling Gourami
Trichopsis pumila
Also known as Pygmy Gourami, Croaking Pygmy Gourami
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tiny gourami with shimmering blue speckles that actually croaks when displaying. It fares best in a small, shaded, densely planted tank, either alone or with very peaceful fish of similar size. Bigger or more vigorous tank mates will both intimidate it and take its food.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 72–82 °F
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Top
- Min group
- 2 or more
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Sparkling Gourami tank mates and swim zone
Top
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Trichogaster chuna
Close relatives can fight over territory. Only try this in a large, well-planted tank.
Trichogaster lalius
Sparkling Gourami is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Dwarf Gourami.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Sparkling Gourami.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea puffers nip slow or long-finned fish like Sparkling Gourami.
Hyphessobrycon eques
Serpae Tetra is a known fin nipper and will shred the long, flowing fins of Sparkling Gourami.
Sparkling Gourami feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed crushed flakes or micro pellets small enough for its mouth.
- Offer small live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Tricky to sex. Mature males usually show more intense color and longer fins. Backlighting can show a female's eggs.
Sparkling Gourami care mistakes to avoid
- Plan for a pair, and read up on sexing before you buy so you do not end up with two rival males.
- Keep it with tiny, peaceful fish only, because larger tank mates outcompete it.
- Plant heavily and add floating cover, which it needs to feel secure.
- Leave an air gap under the lid. It breathes surface air and needs warm, humid air.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons.
Sparkling Gourami tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 11 US gal (41 L), 45 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Sparkling Gourami. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Sparkling Gourami, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Sparkling Gourami's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 72–82 °F (22–28 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateAny substrate
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorFares best in a shady, well planted tank with surface cover; clay pots, pipes, driftwood and dried leaves add shelter.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Sparkling Gourami
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link)
We have not found a store that sells Sparkling Gourami under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Sparkling Gourami FAQ
What size tank do Sparkling Gouramis need?
Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons (41 liters), with a footprint of 45 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Sparkling Gouramis should I keep?
A pair works well. Add more only if the tank is large enough for each fish to claim its own space.
What can live with Sparkling Gouramis?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Swordtail.
How long do Sparkling Gouramis live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
Do sparkling gouramis really croak?
Yes. They make audible clicking sounds during displays, which you can sometimes hear from across a quiet room.
Sparkling Gourami facts and sources
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Native to
- Southeast Asia
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Harem/Pairs
- Diet
- Micro-Predator
- Water flow
- Low/Still
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- Yes
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.