{"product_id":"sparkling-gourami-trichopsis-pumila","title":"Sparkling Gourami | Trichopsis pumila","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Sparkling Gourami is a jewel-like nano fish — iridescent green-blue spangles scattered over a slender body, red-edged fins and bright eyes. Best of all, it genuinely \"croaks\" audibly when courting or squabbling. Staying tiny at around 3–4 cm, this peaceful micro-gourami is perfect for a well-planted nano aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrichopsis pumila comes from Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and southern Laos — where it lives in sluggish, heavily vegetated waters such as ditches, marshes and rice paddies. These warm, soft, often oxygen-poor waters are why, like all gouramis, it breathes air from the surface using a labyrinth organ.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA small, elongate gourami with a pointed snout and thread-like pelvic fins. The body shimmers with rows of turquoise-to-green spangles over a brownish base, and the fins are peppered with iridescent spots and edged in red, especially in displaying males. Its large eyes often glow blue-green.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and slightly shy, it suits a calm nano community. Males display and \"croak\" at one another but rarely do harm in a planted tank with space. Keep it with other small, gentle fish and avoid boisterous or fin-nipping species that will out-compete or intimidate it.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-predator and omnivore with a small mouth. Offer small, high-quality flake and micro-pellets plus frozen and live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp and micro-worm. Little-and-often feeding suits it best.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a well-planted aquarium of at least 20 L, ideally 40 L or more, with gentle filtration and calm water. Keep the temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to neutral water. Because it breathes surface air, keep a lid with a warm, humid air gap and don't let the surface become too turbulent. Floating plants and fine-leaved cover help it feel secure. It is plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA bubble-nesting species, though some build their nest under a broad leaf or in a cave rather than at the surface. The male tends the eggs and fry. Breeding is very achievable in a quiet, planted tank with a well-conditioned pair; the tiny fry need infusoria-grade first foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrichopsis pumila\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSparkling Gourami, Pygmy Gourami, Croaking Gourami\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 3–4 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L or larger, planted\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro): small flake, micro-pellets, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to neutral, around 3–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted nano and peaceful community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small peaceful nano fish such as ember tetras, chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras, otocinclus, and dwarf shrimp in a mature planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with boisterous or large fish, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and anything big enough to bully or eat it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232838664483,"sku":"AA2061","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/sparkling-gourami-trichopsis-43091540967715.webp?v=1790303881","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/sparkling-gourami-trichopsis-pumila","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}