Maximum size : 4 cm

Sparkling Gourami - Trichopsis vittata : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

The Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis vittata) is a little gem that will add sparkle and delight to your planted aquarium. These peaceful fish are easy to care for, but require close attention to water quality to maintain their health. In their natural habitat, Sparkling Gouramis inhabit shallow, slow-moving waters with plenty of vegetation. To replicate this environment, heavily planted tanks with gentle water flow and ample hiding spots are recommended. You will be rewarded with the sight of these shy fish coming out to play and explore. Sparkling Gouramis are true to their name, displaying a dazzling array of colours when they swim. Their arrowhead-shaped bodies and caudal fins shimmer with green, red and blue tones, and their eyes seem to glow a bright blue in the right light. What's more, using a unique pectoral mechanism, these fish can produce a clear croaking sound, adding a fascinating auditory element to your aquarium.

Sparkling Gourami Photos

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism can be observed in mature Sparkling Gouramis, with males displaying elongated ventral, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, and a more intense color pattern compared to females. Males also possess red spots on the stripe through their body or over the body line, while females exhibit less prominent, duller spots. However, differentiating between sexes in juveniles can prove to be challenging, as the dimorphism is not apparent until sexual maturity.

Quick Facts

Scientific Name	Trichopsis vittata
Year Described	1936
Other Names	Pygmy Gourami, Dwarf Croaking Gouramies
Classification	Actinopterygii
Order	Anabantiformes
Family	Osphronemidae
Genus	Trichopsis
Origins	Thailand Vietnam Cambodia Laos
Max Size	4 cm
Temperament	Peaceful
Aquarium Level	Bottom - Middle
Difficulty	Beginner - Intermediate
Shoaling	No
Best kept as	Groups 5+
Diet	Omnivore
Reproduction	Bubble nest
Lifespan	4 - 5 years

Water Parameters

Water Type	Freshwater
PH	6.0 - 7.5
GH	5 - 19
KH
TDS

Temperature
℉	77 - 83
℃	25 - 28.3

Natural Habitat

The Sparkling Gourami are scattered throughout the lower Mekong River basin in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as in watersheds across central and southern Thailand in Southeast Asia. The Sparkling Gourami can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from swamp forests and peat swamps to roadside ditches, floodplains, river tributaries, irrigation canals, and paddy fields. They thrive in still to slow-moving water, displaying a definite preference for environments with dense growths of riparian or aquatic vegetation. One of the most remarkable features of the Sparkling Gourami is their unique ability to adapt to a range of different environments, allowing them to thrive in diverse ecosystems. Their striking appearance and fascinating behaviour make them a true wonder of the natural world. Join us on a journey to explore the diverse and stunning world of the Sparkling Gourami and witness firsthand the incredible adaptability and resilience of this remarkable species. From the lower Mekong River basin to watersheds across central and southern Thailand, the Sparkling Gourami is a true gem of Southeast Asia.

Breeding

To successfully breed Sparkling Gouramis, a spacious breeding tank is essential, providing sufficient space for the fry to develop. Furthermore, a tight-fitting cover is necessary to maintain warm and humid air, allowing the labyrinth organ to develop fully. The male and female Gouramis work collaboratively to create a nest. The male constructs the nest within a canister or tube surrounded by leafy plants or beneath a dense plant leaf. During spawning, the male embraces the female, and both release eggs and sperm simultaneously. The male takes sole responsibility for caring for the eggs and often remains with them, while the female typically leaves after laying the eggs. After 2-3 days, the eggs hatch, and the male continues to attend to the fry. The adults rarely consume their offspring, except for when the fry are very young. The fry initially require newly hatched brine shrimp, gradually progressing to edible foods such as microworms.

Diet & feeding

In the home aquarium, it is recommended to provide a varied diet to ensure the optimal health and coloration of Sparkling Gouramis (Trichopsis pumila). While high-quality dried products such as granules, flakes, and pellets may constitute the bulk of their diet, it is also essential to offer live or frozen foods that are suitably small in size. Feeding these fish small live or frozen foods such as artemia, daphnia, and chironomid larvae will not only enhance their physical condition and promote healthy growth, but it will also help maintain their vivid colors. By providing a diverse diet, you can ensure the well-being of your Sparkling Gouramis in the home aquarium.

Sparkling Gourami - Trichopsis vittata : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Sparkling Gourami Photos

Sexual Dimorphism

Quick Facts

Water Parameters

Natural Habitat

Breeding

Diet & feeding

Other Gouramis you maybe interested in

Banded Gourami

Chocolate Gourami

Congo Ctenopoma

Dwarf Ctenopoma

Dwarf Gourami

Frail Gourami

Profile Photo

Sparkling Gourami - Trichopsis vittata : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Table of contents

Introduction

Sparkling Gourami Photos

Sexual Dimorphism

Quick Facts

Water Parameters

Natural Habitat

Breeding

Diet & feeding

Other Gouramis you maybe interested in

Banded Gourami

Chocolate Gourami

Congo Ctenopoma

Dwarf Ctenopoma

Dwarf Gourami

Frail Gourami