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60l tank is ready...sparkling gourami or something else?

Kaliilo

Kaliilo

Member
Joined
13 Jun 2021
Messages
143
Location
Hertfordshire
Hiya guys I yet again need some help
The 60l is finally ready for fish but I cannot decide what I want. I originally wanted this as a sparkling gourami tank but I'm worried I will never see them. I spend a lot of time looking at my tanks so I dont want a fish that is hidden 100% of the time. Considered a betta as I've never had one but I'm really unsure as the ethics behind bettas make me uncomfortable (farming etc) and I feel like I'm contributing to the problem by buying one (I'm probably being dramatic).
Any ideas? Anyone who has Sparklers that can reassure me that they don't hide all the time? Im open to anything. Would ideally like a species only tank. Having Ricefish in my 110l after some good suggestions from the forum on my other thread so not them. Not having shrimp as I have a shrimp tank for cherry shrimp already. The tank does have 2 amanos in, I have NO idea how they got there but they will stay now
If more than one fish (eg sparklers) I will have a small group so nano fish only. If I did get a betta he would be alone with maybe a few otos to clean up.
I wont be buying the fish for another two weeks so I have time to frustrate myself with choices.

Tank is a 40cube, heavily planted
Substrate is aquasoil
No Co2
Moderate light
Tap water is currently at 16Gdh (thanks for helping me there Darrel!) but I will be mixing with 50% - 70% spotless water to lower my hardness (Starting to change water over this weekend).

Thanks in advance
Amy
 
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That's a lovely tank & an enviable position to be in, choosing new fish!
I keep a small group of sparkling gourami & find they are out hunting, socialising & swimming around all the time. They seem to be very inquisitive, it's great just to sit & watch them poking around the plants!
I keep mine with pygmy corys & they seem to get on fine together.
 
The ones I kept were not shy at all they were always out and about. Your tank will make a great home for them.
 
Keep them in a group of at least 6 and you will see them more often than not, and hear them audibly communicating with one another too. They are amazing fish with distinct personality, very intelligent and curious. It's perhaps a good thing you don't want to keep cherry shrimp with them, they'd end up on the menu, even adults. These threads might be of interest...

Sparkling Gourami Vs Cherry Shrimp

Has anyone had this experience with Sparkling Gourami? Scroll down to the bottom of this page to find out what I'm on about: http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichopsis-pumila/
www.ukaps.org www.ukaps.org

Shy Sparkling Gourami

Hi, I have a small, heavily planted tank with just 3 Sparkling Gourami who I almost never see. I temporarily (3 or 4 hours) added a couple of Killifish whilst sorting their tank and noticed the SG were out a lot more. Since the killis have gone to their own tank, the SG are back to permanently...
www.ukaps.org www.ukaps.org

Trichopsis pumila – Sparkling Gourami (Ctenops pumilus, Trichopsis pumilus var. siamensis) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com www.seriouslyfish.com
 
The Miniaturist said:
That's a lovely tank & an enviable position to be in, choosing new fish!
I keep a small group of sparkling gourami & find they are out hunting, socialising & swimming around all the time. They seem to be very inquisitive, it's great just to sit & watch them poking around the plants!
I keep mine with pygmy corys & they seem to get on fine together.
Click to expand...
Thanks, my daughter hates how unruly it looks but I like leaving the plants alone to do their own thing 🙂 This is reassuring! I was worried they couldnt be with anything else (like clean up fish) and that they would hide!

Liam said:
The ones I kept were not shy at all they were always out and about. Your tank will make a great home for them.
Click to expand...
This is becoming very reassuring as they were my first choice
Tim Harrison said:
Keep them in a group of at least 6 and you will see them more often than not, and hear them audibly communicating with one another too. They are amazing fish with distinct personality, very intelligent and curious. It's perhaps a good thing you don't want to keep cherry shrimp with them, they'd end up on the menu, even adults. These threads might be of interest...

Sparkling Gourami Vs Cherry Shrimp

Has anyone had this experience with Sparkling Gourami? Scroll down to the bottom of this page to find out what I'm on about: http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichopsis-pumila/
www.ukaps.org www.ukaps.org

Shy Sparkling Gourami

Hi, I have a small, heavily planted tank with just 3 Sparkling Gourami who I almost never see. I temporarily (3 or 4 hours) added a couple of Killifish whilst sorting their tank and noticed the SG were out a lot more. Since the killis have gone to their own tank, the SG are back to permanently...
www.ukaps.org www.ukaps.org

Trichopsis pumila – Sparkling Gourami (Ctenops pumilus, Trichopsis pumilus var. siamensis) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com www.seriouslyfish.com
Click to expand...
Thanks Tim, to be honest it was those threads that made me nervous as they both reference how timid they are! I understand they are little fish and its natural instinct to hide (and apparently be little murder machines) but I was worried they would never be visible! I was planning on 3 or 4 so I will definetly up the numbers to increase their courage!

Looks like Sparkling Gourami are back on the list! Thanks guys as ever
 
No worries, I'd love to keep these little critters again, but in a species tank. Keep us posted, I'm sure you'll get along well with them, your tank looks great.
Btw they didn't go anywhere near my Amano shrimp so should be fine with yours.
 
Myrtle said:
Just on the ethical point of Betta, you can buy hobbyist-bred ones from auction sites or sites like band.us and the wild types are fascinating. They're not all "fighting fish" either and some species can be kept in pairs or groups 🙂
Click to expand...
Oh wow I didnt know this! Ive not heard of band so ill have a look although I think ill probably go with my gourami now my amateur dramatics have been soothed :lol:
 
Congratulations, good luck with them.
They will settle in well and colour up in no time.
Dominance will show quickly as they feel each other out and thr environment.
And after a few days you'll be able to hear them chirupping if your lucky.
Can already see 2 males in that bag.

I would also recommend setting up a white worm culture if not already. They are great to watch eating them & dart around catching them.


Males pointy dorsal
Females rounded dorsal like most other gourami

Remember once they start building nests. You wont always see them as they like to build them in amongst the foliage/plant matter and so.etimes decorate them to hide the nests.

They are feisty for their size and and enjoyable fish to watch.
 
Gill said:
Congratulations, good luck with them.
They will settle in well and colour up in no time.
Dominance will show quickly as they feel each other out and thr environment.
And after a few days you'll be able to hear them chirupping if your lucky.
Can already see 2 males in that bag.

I would also recommend setting up a white worm culture if not already. They are great to watch eating them & dart around catching them.


Males pointy dorsal
Females rounded dorsal like most other gourami

Remember once they start building nests. You wont always see them as they like to build them in amongst the foliage/plant matter and so.etimes decorate them to hide the nests.

They are feisty for their size and and enjoyable fish to watch.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for your advice. Ive been trying to look while they are in the bag and I think I can also see two females (can see the ovaries) but not sure. I do have enough room to get a few more if I do only have males.
I have been looking into the cultures, I will get one started, for now they will have the live daphnia etc.
Ill try and post another picture
 
Yeah whiteworms are so easy.
Just a pot with a lid,Oats or bread,A dusting of yeast,Add culture and leave for a few days. And they will be crawling up the sides. And dip a cottonbud into the tank to dampen it. And then scoop some up and feed away.
You can get culture's for about £2 from ebay etc. Don't fall for any of the fancy ones. Just a simple culture will do.


Yeah have a look once they settle down. The females are also bigger and deeper bodied.

And this time of year when you do a water change keep the dirty water and leave it in a bucket.
After a few days you will see teeny brown banana shaped rafts of eggs. More free food from mozzie larvae. And also water bugs will find the buckets and bring in more with them etc.


If you want something longterm have a look at vinegar worms. A Tightly sealed tub add and apple and follow instructions on the culture. And I kept it in a shady spot. And just added some apple every few months. And kept it going for a few years before starting a new one.


Another gourami that is a joy to keep but very docile. Are the sunset honey gourami another temperate fish. That can tolerate a wide temp range. And equally enjoyable to watch. As they move around touching things and other fish with their Ventrals as feelers.
 
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