Sparkling Gourami

The sparkling gourami is one of the smallest labyrinth fish kept in aquariums; it reaches only 3–4 cm. Its brownish body and fins are covered with turquoise and red spots that shine as they catch the light; its eyes are bright blue. Seen up close, it is a very colorful fish for its small size.

Its most interesting trait is that it makes sounds: males in particular, during courtship and rivalry, produce faint croaks audible across the room by vibrating special tendons in their pectoral fins. It is very well suited to calm, planted nano aquariums.

It lives in shallow swamps, ditches, rice paddies and lake shores of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. These waters are densely vegetated, still and warm; the surface is often covered with floating plants.

• Volume: at least 30 liters for one male and two females; 45–60 liters for a small group.
• Water: 25–27°C, pH 6–7.5, soft to moderately hard water. A heater is needed.
• Plants: very dense planting, floating plants and hiding places under leaves.
• Flow: very weak; a sponge filter is ideal.
• Lid: warm, humid air should remain between the surface and the lid.

A carnivore that feeds on tiny organisms. Live or frozen brine shrimp nauplii, cyclops, daphnia, microworms and chopped bloodworms are ideal; most fish also accept fine flakes and micro granules. Its mouth is very small; feed small amounts 1–2 times a day.

Peaceful and somewhat timid. Males display to each other by spreading their fins and making sounds, but serious injury is rare. It leaves adult dwarf shrimp alone; it may eat shrimplets. It cannot get food alongside fast, large fish.

Good companions: galaxy rasbora, Boraras species, harlequin rasbora, small tetras, otocinclus, dwarf corydoras, dwarf shrimp, nerite snails.

Avoid: large, fast fish, fin nippers, bettas and large gouramis, any predator whose mouth it could fit into.

It can be kept as a pair, as 1 male and 2 females, or as a small group of 5–6 with more females. In a group, the males' displays and sounds are observed more often. Dividing the tank with plants lets each male choose a small area of his own.

The male builds a tiny bubble nest under a broad leaf or on the ceiling of a small cave. During a series of embraces, from a few dozen to nearly a hundred small eggs are released; the male places them in the nest and guards them. The female usually has no trouble after spawning, but keeping her separately is safer. The fry are very small and need infusoria or paramecium in the first days; then brine shrimp nauplii are given. In a planted aquarium a few fry may grow up on their own.

Captive-bred fish are hardy. In cold water and with temperature fluctuations, ich and velvet can occur. Wild-caught fish may carry parasites; a 2-week quarantine is recommended.

Sexing is difficult. Males are usually more colorful, with slightly longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fins. The most reliable method is to look at the fish with light shining from behind: in mature females a yellowish, triangular ovary is visible in the body cavity.