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Sparkling gourami (Trichopsis pumila) — Osphronemidae

Sparkling gourami

Trichopsis pumila
Family: Osphronemidae

The Sparkling gourami (Trichopsis pumila) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sparkling gourami is a small labyrinth fish (Osphronemidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 3.5 cm and has a slender, translucent body with sparkling blue-green and reddish spots and large eyes. As a labyrinth fish it can gulp air in oxygen-poor water; remarkably it makes an audible croaking sound with muscle organs, especially during courtship. It eats small zooplankton, larvae and insects. The fish is harmless to humans and is a popular aquarium fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sparkling gourami?

The Sparkling gourami has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Sparkling gourami live?

The Sparkling gourami lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Sparkling gourami get?

The Sparkling gourami grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Sparkling gourami dangerous to humans?

No, the Sparkling gourami is harmless to humans.

Is the Sparkling gourami edible?

Yes, the Sparkling gourami is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-knorrende goerami sourced
English name
Sparkling gourami sourced
Scientific name
Trichopsis pumila
Family
Osphronemidae
Other names
Gourami; Green croaking gourami; Purring gourami; Pygmy gourami verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Trichopsis

More from the family Osphronemidae

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