Sparkling Gourami
Trichopsis pumila
Min Tank Size
40L
Adult Size
4 cm
Lifespan
4 years
About
Originating from slow, heavily vegetated waters across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, and the Malay Peninsula, Trichopsis pumila is one of the smallest gouramis you can keep. 5 to 4 centimeters, making them genuinely micro fish rather than just marketed as such. Under good lighting the iridescent blue and red spots along their bodies catch the light in a way that photographs never quite do justice to.
They're a soft-water species by nature, thriving in slightly acidic to neutral water with low hardness, though they adapt reasonably well to moderately hard tap water in many regions. Temperatures in the mid to upper twenties suit them well.
Diet is where beginners sometimes trip up: these are carnivores that need meaty foods. High-quality micro pellets work as a base, but they really come alive with small live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and micro worms. Dried flake alone won't cut it long-term.
What makes them genuinely special is the sound. Males produce a croaking or growling noise, audible to human ears, made by vibrating their pectoral fins during displays and spawning. Sit near a quiet tank in the evening and you'll hear it.
They're best suited to planted nano setups with low flow, floating plants, and plenty of hiding spots. Browse real keeper builds featuring this species and you'll almost always see lush, mossy tanks with gentle sponge filtration.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Sparkling Gourami together
Sparkling Gourami is mildly territorial. Small groups can work in spacious tanks with broken sightlines, but expect occasional squabbles.
Compatibility
These fish are genuinely small and calm, so tankmates need to reflect that. They pair beautifully with small rasboras like chili rasboras or ember tetras, pygmy corydoras, otocinclus, and peaceful nano loaches. Avoid anything nippy since their fins aren't long but they're slow and unhurried, making them easy targets. Cardinal or neon tetras work in principle but can be a bit boisterous for a truly calm tank. Shrimp compatibility is situational: adult cherry shrimp are usually fine, but shrimplets and dwarf species like crystal reds are at real risk. Snails are perfectly safe companions.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is keeping them in hard, alkaline tap water without adjustment. They tolerate moderate hardness but genuinely do better in softer, slightly acidic conditions, especially for breeding. Surface access is non-negotiable since they breathe air through their labyrinth organ and will develop respiratory issues if the surface is blocked or the air above it is cold. Strong filtration or powerheads stress them out. A sponge filter or low-output hang-on is ideal. Feeding meaty foods several times a week rather than relying solely on dry food keeps their color vibrant and health solid.
Behavior & Aggression
Sparkling gouramis are peaceful toward most other species, but males are territorial with each other, especially in smaller tanks. The aggression manifests as fin flaring, croaking displays, and occasional chasing rather than outright brutal fighting, but in a confined space a weaker male can be stressed constantly. The territory is loosely defined around a preferred patch of floating plants or a sheltered corner. Adding dense vegetation and breaking sightlines reduces tension significantly. Two males can sometimes coexist in larger, well-planted setups of 60 liters or more, but it's a gamble.
Things to Know
- Males will fight each other in small tanks; keep one male or provide heavy cover.
- Labyrinth organ requires access to humid air at the surface.
- Tiny size makes them vulnerable to larger tankmates and strong flow.
- May eat small dwarf shrimp shrimplets even if adults are left alone.
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