The dwarf gourami, also called Pumila (Trichopsis pumila), is a great option if you want to give your aquarium a pop of color and personality. Aquarists love these little colorful fish because they add a lively and eye-catching presence to any tank. Dwarf gouramis are well-suited for novice and expert hobbyists alike, due to their striking colors and serene disposition.
The gorgeous coloring of the dwarf gourami is among its most remarkable characteristics. These fish frequently display a variety of colors, ranging from vivid reds and blues to delicate greens and yellows. Though their appearance varies slightly based on diet and habitat, they always lend an air of refinement to an aquarium setup. Any fish lover will love to watch them glide through the water with their flowing fins.
Another characteristic of dwarf gouramis is their peaceful and amiable disposition. They are an excellent addition to a community tank because they are generally calm fish that get along well with other species. They don’t threaten other fish or plants because of their gentle disposition and small size, which contributes to the peaceful development of an aquatic habitat.
Dwarf gourami maintenance is comparatively simple. They flourish in clean, well-kept tanks with lots of hiding places and a healthy atmosphere. Even though they are not very demanding, giving them a stable home and a varied diet will keep them happy and healthy. These petite but gorgeous fish can become a vibrant and cherished part of your aquatic environment with the correct care.
| Characteristic | Description |
| Scientific Name | Trichopsis pumila |
| Common Name | Dwarf Gourami, Pumila |
| Size | Up to 4 cm |
| Water Temperature | 24-28°C |
| pH Level | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful, shy, social with own kind |
| Diet | Omnivorous, prefers small live or frozen food |
| Tank Size | 20 liters minimum |
| Special Care | Requires hiding spots, calm environment |
- Habitat and Range
- Description
- Size:
- Behavior and compatibility
- Aquarium
- Water parameters:
- Feeding
- Sexual Dimorphism
- Breeding
- Video on the topic
- Pygmy gourami Trichopsis pumila dwarf gourami pumila
- Dwarf gourami (Trichopsis pumila)
- SPARKISH aquarium FISH – DWARF GURAMI pumila | Sparkling gourami | Trichopsis pumilus
- Dwarf sparkling gourami (Sparkling gourami trichopsis pumilos)
- Dwarf gourami or Pumila | (Trichopsis pumila).
- DWARF GURAMI. KEEPING AND BREEDING.
Habitat and Range
Asia: from Indonesia to Thailand and Laos
Dispersed throughout the watersheds of Central and Southern (peninsular) Thailand, as well as the lower Mekong River basins in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Found in all kinds of slow-moving, stagnant water bodies, such as roadside ditches, rice fields, floodplains, peat bogs, small ponds, irrigation canals, and floodplains. prefers still, stagnant areas that are covered in thick layers of marine or coastal vegetation. manifests a definite preference for biotopes characterized by low oxygen levels, stagnant water, and dense thickets of aquatic or coastal vegetation.
It is able to breathe air from the surface thanks to its labyrinth organ, which helps it survive in these conditions.
Aquarium enthusiasts frequently choose the Dwarf Gourami, also called the Pumila or Trichopsis pumila, because of its small size, vivid colors, and calm temperament. With its eye-catching patterns and laid-back personality, this attractive fish requires little maintenance and is ideal for small to medium-sized aquariums. This post will discuss the benefits of keeping a dwarf gourami in your aquarium, as well as its needs for upkeep, suitable tank mates, and ways to keep it looking and feeling great.
Description
In contrast to other gourami species, this one has a much shorter body height and an elongated, compressed body from the sides. reddish-blue highlights in the eyes. Large mouth with serrated gill covers.
The belly is light and the coloring is bluish-green. A row of dark spots that nearly blends into a stripe runs from the eyes to the tail.
Dorsal sail-shaped, with a pointed fin shape. With the exception of the transparent ventral and pectoral fins, all fins are blue with a smattering of tiny red dots, and a blue border surrounds the edge.
Size:
A standard length of 35 to 40 mm is the max.
Behavior and compatibility
Keep them in pairs or small groups, or alone with very calm species of similar size, as larger or more active tankmates may frighten and chase them out. Little loaches like Pangio or Petruichthys, as well as schooling cyprinids like Microdevario, Boraras, or Trigonostigma spp., will make excellent choices.
This species is known to hunt small freshwater shrimp belonging to genera like Caridina and Neocaridina, according to some aquarists.
Aquarium
The standard tank size is 45 by 30 cm, or comparable, which is big enough to fit two people or a small gathering.
The ideal habitat for this species is a shaded aquarium full of dense plants that cover the water’s surface, such as tropical water lilies, tall stem plants, or floating varieties. Different varieties of Cryptocoryne are very good.
Driftwood, which consists of roots and branches, can help to create a lot of hiding spots as well as diffuse light into the aquarium to give it a more organic feel. Other plants, like Thai fern or different kinds of moss, can be attached to driftwood to make it a home for them.
Since these fish require access to air, keep the aquarium well-covered and avoid filling it all the way to the top. A lid is essential to maintaining the temperature of the air at the surface; in its absence, colds may result.
Water parameters:
Temperature range: 22–28°C pH range: 5.0 to 7.5 Hardness range: 5–19° dGH
Filtration and mild aeration are necessary; strong currents should be avoided. Every week, one-third of the water is changed out with fresh.
Feeding
It consumes aquatic insects and zooplankton in the wild.
It is an omnivore that eats both live and frozen food in an aquarium, such as bloodworms, cyclops, daphnia, brine shrimp, and tubifex. Furthermore, they accept dry food. They must be fed once or twice a day.
Sexual Dimorphism
It can be challenging to distinguish between the sexes, but sexually mature males typically have brighter colors, larger bodies, and longer ventral, anal, dorsal, and caudal fins than females.
They can reproduce by the time they are 6 or 9 months old.
Breeding
It is preferable to choose autonomously formed pairs of teenagers to serve as producers.
Increasing feeding with live food, adding soft water, and raising the temperature all encourage spawning.
The spawning aquarium’s water parameters are 26–30°C, pH 6.5–7.0, and dH up to 10°.
In a 15-liter spawning tank, the water level should be no more than 15-20 cm. While large-leaved and floating plants are required, soil is not.
Beneath a broad leaf of a plant, the male constructs a foam nest. Four to six white-yellow eggs are contained in an egg packet, which is a special feature of spawning. It is the male’s responsibility to open each packet and transfer the eggs into the nest. The female can lay up to 200 eggs, but she is not very fertile. Once she spawns, she is eliminated.
A typical incubation period is 36 hours. The male brings the fry closer to warmth and light after they hatch, and he brings them back to the nest in the evening. After two to three days, the urge to be a parent vanishes, and he leaves the nest, needing to be removed at this point.
The fry are tiny (1.5 mm), sedentary, and have a dark color. On the fourth day, they can feed and swim. Kolovrates, egg yolk, and ciliates are the first foods. Brine shrimp nauplii and cyclops can be fed to grown fry.
Main requirements for a successful fry rearing process are steady temperature, clean water, and consistent feeding.
An aquarium’s lifespan under ideal circumstances is roughly five years.
Trichopsis pumila, better known as the dwarf gourami, is a fun addition to any freshwater aquarium. It is the perfect option for both novice and seasoned fishkeepers due to its compact size, vivid colors, and tranquil temperament. This little fish adds a touch of elegance and tranquility to your tank, and because of its laid-back personality, it usually gets along well with other fish species.
Dwarf gourami maintenance is comparatively simple. They eat premium flakes and sometimes frozen or live foods, and they grow well in tanks with lots of plants and a soft filter. Their well-being depends on having a stable environment with clean water and the right temperature, which calls for routine upkeep and observation.
Dwarf gouramis give your aquarium a little more personality and charm in addition to improving its aesthetic appeal. Their calm disposition and engaging demeanor support a harmonious and well-balanced tank environment. The dwarf gourami is a great option if you want a fish that is both aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance.
