Pygmy Gourami

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Scientific Name

Trichopsis pumila

Min. Tank Size

10 gallons

Personality

Peaceful/Very timid

Temperature

77-82°F

pH

5.5-7.0/5-20°dGH

Size

1.5"

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Best kept with small, timid species; Dwarf Corydoras, Rasboras, Kuhli Loaches and Otocinclus Catfish.

Pygmy Gourami

Also called the Sparkling Gourami, Pygmy Gouramis remains very small and are known for their sparkling bodies which exhibit a combination of red, blue and green hues. The bodies of these fish are very reflective – they often appear to be shimmering as the fish swims through the water. Native to Southeast Asia, the Pygmy Gourami can be found in Laos, Thailand and Indonesia as well as in parts of Peninsular Malaysia. This species tends to inhabit slow-moving waters such as rice paddies, irrigation ditches and small ponds as well as bodies of standing water.

Tank Set-Up

Pygmy Gouramis are a very hardy species, tolerant of a variety of water conditions. However, they thrive best in warm, slightly acicid water. These fish prefer densely planted tanks with low water movement and plenty of shade. Though they are a peaceful species, Pygmy Gouramis are also very timid so they should only be kept with other small, peaceful species.

Feeding

In the wild, Pygmy Gouramis are micropredators, feeding on small insects, zooplankton and invertebrates. In the home aquarium, however, these fish are not picky and may accept a variety of foods. Offer these Gouramis a staple diet of high-quality flakes or pellets supplemented with small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms and Daphnia. To promote optimum health and coloration feed a varied diet on a regular basis.

Breeding

These fish are bubble nesters and fairly difficult to breed in the home aquarium. The males of the species build a loosely constructed nest of bubbles under a leaf or among floating plants at the surface of the tank. Following spawning, the male will tend the eggs until hatching and the female should be removed from the tank. The eggs typically hatch after 24 to 48 hours and the fry usually become free swimming two days later.