Sparkling Gourami In Small Tank?

[kniesh]

Hi all, I have 2 sparkling Gouramis in a 29gal peaceful community. I am setting up approx a 20ltre tank for shrimp, planted and wood also, just to sit on my computer desk for when I'm bored on it. Is it a good or bad idea to put these 2 gouramis in too? I know they are tiny but is this too small? It has a built in undergravel filter system also so that is covered and I have a heater in it. Thx in advance.

 

[fishwatcher]

They should be just fine in there. They only get to about 1" long, so 2 would be no problem. You could even go for 3, or maybe a few shrimp with them.

 

[sylvia]

It's fine but keep in mind that even tiny sparklers are territorial and two males may well clash on occasion. Obviously, I don't know what sex yours are but watch them closely for the first couple of months while they settle down etc If you ever decide to add more, don't add just one or it'll be picked on by the established two and re-arange the tank before adding it. If you have 2 females (which would be very lucky) a male (and another female) might be the perfect addition to get them to breed.

BTW, I personaly wouldn't go for both shrimp and fish. Shrimp are surprisinly active and you can risk over-crowding and stressing any fish. Obviously, planting heavily reduces the chance of this but do consider perhaps just using the 5 gallon for cherry shrimp or some other brightly-colored species and maybe consider another small tank for the gouramies (maybe to breed).

 

[lljdma06]

BTW, I personaly wouldn't go for both shrimp and fish. Shrimp are surprisinly active and you can risk over-crowding and stressing any fish. Obviously, planting heavily reduces the chance of this but do consider perhaps just using the 5 gallon for cherry shrimp or some other brightly-colored species and maybe consider another small tank for the gouramies (maybe to breed).

In addition, sparklers will eat shrimp. I had one small male that made short work of cherry shrimp. Caught him several time killing the little buggers, the shrimp squirming and everything. The real surprise was that he was blind too! Makes me wonder how smart shrimp really are to not be able to escape from a blind sparkling gouramis that was smaller than them.

I also encourage breeding the sparklers. It is fascinating to watch. Mine in IL bred several times for me.

 

[basia]

I had 3 sparkling gourami in a 10 gallon and one male eventually killed the other 2. When I set up my 66 gal I moved him in there with 3 new ones. The original male later killed what turned out to be a male in the new 3. He never seems to court either of the females and leaves them alone as long as they stay at the other end of the tank. They are feisty little fish in my opinion and fiendish fry eaters. I have never had a baby platy since I put them in the tank and I moved the single one out of the 10 gallon because my endler fry were disappearing.
Now my honey gouramies which now live in the 10 gallon are very gentl souls.

 

[rhysiboy]

whats the sparkling gouramis scientific name? im going shopping tomoro and i want the scientific name just incase i mistake them for croaking gouramis theyve been sold under that name before

 

[sylvia]

Trichopsis pumilus or Trichopsis pumila is the scientific name for sparklers.

 

[cometcattle]

Trichopsis pumilus or Trichopsis pumila is the scientific name for sparklers.

and Trichopsis schalleri, but I have found the pumila to be more common in stores.