Pygmy gourami

Trichopsis pumila

Also known as Sparkling gourami

FreshwaterFish

Pygmy gourami (Trichopsis pumila) — Dezinformator15 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 1.6 in (4 cm)
Minimum tank: 15 gal (55 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam
Family: Osphronemidae

Overview

A peaceful, somewhat shy fish that does well in a small group or a pair, kept in the middle and upper water. A planted tank of around 55 liters or more suits it. Keep the water in the low to high 20s C with a pH of 6 to 7.5. Feed small foods like micro pellets, flake, and live or frozen brine shrimp and mosquito larvae. Keep it only with small, calm tankmates, as boisterous fish will outcompete it.

In the wild

The pygmy gourami lives in shallow, heavily vegetated waters across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, often tea-colored from tannins and dimly lit. Match that with soft, slightly acidic water, dense planting, floating cover, and calm flow. Leave warm air space above the water, since it breathes from the surface.

Good to know

This small member of the Osphronemidae reaches about 4 cm. It is a labyrinth fish, able to breathe air, and it is a bubble nest builder, with the male tending the eggs until they hatch in a day or two. Its populations are stable and it is listed as least concern.

Did you know

Pygmy gouramis make a soft croaking or clicking sound, usually during courtship or disputes. In a quiet room you can sometimes hear it, which is why they are sometimes called croaking gouramis.