Sparklers

[Ryou]

I very much like Sparkling Gourami, and I think I'll be getting some for my next tank. I'd like to mix them with small rasboras or danios and pygmy cories if my LFS has them. Would this work?
I'd be getting a tank from 10-15 gallons, not sure yet. I need to save up some money first, haha. How many of each species could go in tanks of these size?
I know they like live plants (and so do I!) so I'll definitely be getting a few, but do sparklers require a heavily planted tank, or is that something they prefer but can live comfortably without?

Any other info about them would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[necava01]

i have kept sparklers for quite a while. amazing fish that are quite dazzling to myself and others! but a 15 is way to small for these shorts because they do tons better in shoals! if you did the 15 you could do a species tank with 10 sparklers and 3 panda corys. but if you want to have multiple species.. go for the bigger tanks. maybe a 30 gal? these fish are top swimmers too, so make sure to have some cover for them to hide under. i hope you manage to get things going good! please get some pictures up when you do!

 

[Curiosity101]

My sparklers were very very timid in the 30gal I had them in (heavily planted and they didn't come out of the plants ever). If I were to get them again I'd be tempted to have them in a 10-15gal like you're planning.

However I would get them in a relatively large group like necava suggested, previously I had them as a trio.

So perhaps (in a 10gal)-
6 Sparklers
6 Pygmy cories Or rasbora (max size 4cm)

I personally don't agree with danios in anything below an 80cm long tank... so I would rule them out completely. They do grow relatively large too, one danio is probably equivalent to say 2 pygmy cories or 2 rasbora (unless we're talking micro/chillie rasbora in which case danios are prob getting on for 4x the bioload).

 

[Twinklecaz]

Lol@ Sparklers not being suitable for a 15 gal. I have 3 in mine and 3 in my 5gal. All fine! They're small fish and though they don't like to be on their own their own they aren't really "shoaling" fish.................unlike Panda Cories which are and need to be in groups of at least 6.


Just a note though about Pygmys. Though they'll prob be fine with them, I'm convinced my Spaklers have nipped the fins of a couple of my Pymy Corys. One has half his tail missing!

 

[Carlovel1]

I very much like Sparkling Gourami, and I think I'll be getting some for my next tank. I'd like to mix them with small rasboras or danios and pygmy cories if my LFS has them. Would this work?
I'd be getting a tank from 10-15 gallons, not sure yet. How many of each species could go in tanks of these size?
I know they like live plants (and so do I!) so I'll definitely be getting a few, but do sparklers require a heavily planted tank, or is that something they prefer but can live comfortably without?

Any other info about them would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Sparkling Gouramis would be absolutely fine in your tank. I would say you could have 4 Sparkling Gourami 1M 3F but no more than 1 male as they tend to clash. You could do something like this:

4 Sparkling Gourami 1M 3F
6 C.Habrosus/Hastatus/Pygmaeus
8 Celestial Pearl Danios

However, this is one of the species of Gourami I would say would need a heavily planted tank. As said, they are extremely shy and will stay very shy unless kept in a heavily planted tank where they become more confident. A great plant for this species is Java Fern. My Sparklers always hid under the leaves and it became their hide out

Carlovel1

 

[Harlequins]

I have 5 sparklers in my 55 gals,they're very cute,but has twinkle said keep an eye on them,i'm sure they took a chunk out of one of my skunk's tail when i first got them,so i put more silk plants and now they're happy to hang around in them

Your tank would be fine for maybe

3-4 sparklers
6+ pygmys type cories
6-8 ember tetras ,add a little colour into the tank,very peaceful,small and active

 

[Ryou]

Alright guys, thanks!
I just realized I had an old 10gal in the garage, but if I remember correctly it leaks I'll probably just buy a replacement 10 gal tank, as I already have the hood, lighting, and filter from my old setup.

I guess I'm looking at:
- 4 (or 6?) Sparklers
- 6 pygmy cories
- 6-8 very small tetras/rasbora

Sound about right for a 10gal? And of course, lots of plants
Good thing I already have a large java fern - I hear you can divide those pretty easily.