Anyone knowledgable with sparkling gouramis?

[TLT]

Hi everyone, I was at the nearest Big Al's Aquarium and they had sparkling gouramis! I'd like to ask you guys to share your own experiences, or even if you answer these questions, that'd be great!

1. Are they compatible with cherry shrimp, celestial pearl danios, neon/glowlight tetras and more importantly, a male betta? In my opinion, the sparkling gouramis kind of look like female bettas. Also, some internet sites say these guys are aggressive, so is my grumpy betta going to be ok?

2. Some of the fish at the store were not that colourful. Were they females or juveniles, or just some plain colour variant? They were about 2 cm long.

3. Some didn't swim with their tail fins fanned out but were clamped. Is this normal? They didn't act sick but were alert and looking in the gravel for food.

 

[Lupin]

1. Are they compatible with cherry shrimp, celestial pearl danios, neon/glowlight tetras and more importantly, a male betta? In my opinion, the sparkling gouramis kind of look like female bettas. Also, some internet sites say these guys are aggressive, so is my grumpy betta going to be ok?

Not with a male betta. The rest are fine however.

2. Some of the fish at the store were not that colourful. Were they females or juveniles, or just some plain colour variant? They were about 2 cm long.

It's hard to distinguish their sexes. I've been struggling with it and failed miserably here.

3. Some didn't swim with their tail fins fanned out but were clamped. Is this normal? They didn't act sick but were alert and looking in the gravel for food.

They're normally timid. Keep them in a quarantine tank for a few days with several plants.

You can read my experience here.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141556

 

[TropicalNorth]

Just a note about bettas with sparklers.
My sister kept 3 sparklers with a male betta in a planted 10g for quite a while (until she gave the betta to me) and they were great together. I'm not sure if this was an unusual case but the betta was a big red plakat and kept to the top, the sparklers were full grown adults and stayed mostly around the bottom and they never bothered eachother, except when the sparklers ganged up and showed the betta whose boss (no harm ever done). I think she actually had a real peaceful betta and some rather grumpy sparklers , but it is possible to keep the two if careful and willing to move fish if need be.

 

[terror spawnin]

I agree with Lupin.
I've kept a few of these little guys and they don't get much bigger than 3cm. They are very spectacular in the right light. They are also known as "clicking gouramis" and can sometimes be heard from across the room.

They require a well planted tank from bottom to top for the best showing. And I've only seen them get aggressive with each other; wich wasn't anything other than a stiff glare and some posturing.
They are perfect for nanotanks as small as 2 gallons.

 

[Lupin]

There is another species actually called croaking gourami (Trichopsis vittata).

 

[TLT]

Thanks Lupin, I had always thought they were the same species! I've searched the net, but was wondering if anyone has a surefire way to sex these fish. Can I assume the males are more colourful? I don't want to breed them or have to go through with territorial behaviour.

Oh, and out of curiosity, do the sounds they make affect the other tankmates? Thanks!

 

[noodles62]

I had done a little research on these and noted that the only way to sex them is to shine a flashlight on them; you can see the ovaries in the females..........Just my 2 cents! They will also color up when they are in a good enviroment and happy.....

 

[Lupin]

I had done a little research on these and noted that the only way to sex them is to shine a flashlight on them; you can see the ovaries in the females..........Just my 2 cents! They will also color up when they are in a good enviroment and happy.....

Hmmm...There is something in that. I see this one suggests similar method. Read this one and look for the quote.

I was given a good tip on sexing them which so far has proved correct. The males have a bold row of reddish brown spots above the 'stripe' which runs along their side. In the females this row of spots is absent or insignificant.

 

[jm1212]

the danios may be a bit active for them, but the neons would make good dithers.