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Contents
Overview
The sparkling gourami, also called the pygmy gourami, is a little gem of about 1.5 inches (3-4 cm) from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia. It lives in ponds, ditches and rice paddies full of plants and nearly still water. Its beige body is speckled with iridescent blue and red dots, and its eyes have an electric blue shine that looks best under subdued light.
It is also known as a croaking gourami for good reason: males and females make audible clicking sounds with their pectoral fins during courtship and disputes, sometimes loud enough to hear across a quiet room. It is peaceful and shy, perfect for a calm planted nano tank. It isn't hard to keep, but it suffers in uncycled water and with overly active tank mates.
Care and tank setup
A small group does well in a mature 12-gallon (45 L) or larger tank with a heater and minimal flow; a sponge filter is ideal. Keep the lid on to hold warm, humid air above the water.
- Decor: dense plants, moss, floaters to soften the light, dried catappa leaves and some driftwood.
- Group: ideally 4-6 fish with several females. Males squabble, but without harm when there is space and cover.
- Tank mates: tiny, calm fish such as chili rasboras, celestial pearl danios, pygmy corydoras or otocinclus. Great with dwarf shrimp, though it may pick off the odd shrimplet.
- Avoid: fast or large fish that hog the food.
Common mistakes are adding it to a brand-new tank and running strong flow. Both stress it and leave it vulnerable to disease.
Feeding
In the wild it hunts tiny invertebrates, so its diet should be mostly animal-based. Offer small live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, grindal worms or chopped bloodworms. Some learn to take micro pellets or fine flakes over time, but those shouldn't be the only staple. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and check that it is actually getting its share.
Breeding
It breeds in calm, heavily planted tanks. The male builds a small bubble nest, often under a leaf rather than right at the surface, and after courtship he tends the eggs and larvae. For a dedicated attempt, set up a separate tank with soft water, about 81-82 °F (27-28 °C) and floating plants. Remove the male once the fry swim freely. They are minute and need infusoria for the first week.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Sparkling gourami. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Sparkling gourami, and why.
- Common goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Angelfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oranda goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Sparkling gourami healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Sparkling gourami need?
At least about 45 liters for a group of at least 4 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Sparkling gourami need?
Between 22 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Sparkling gourami?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Bronze cory, Zebra danio, Guppy and Cherry barb. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Sparkling gourami be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
