Fish comparison
Croaking Gourami vs Sparkling Gourami
How the Croaking Gourami and Sparkling Gourami compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Croaking Gourami vs Sparkling Gourami
The Croaking Gourami and the Sparkling Gourami are close cousins, both in the Trichopsis group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. If tank space is tight, the Sparkling Gourami needs less room to feel settled; give the Croaking Gourami the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
1 note
Temperature
- Croaking Gourami22–28 °C
- Sparkling Gourami22–28 °C
pH
- Croaking Gourami6–7.5
- Sparkling Gourami6–7.5
Hardness
- Croaking Gourami2–15 dGH
- Sparkling Gourami2–10 dGH
What to plan for
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishCroaking GouramiTrichopsis vittata |  FishSparkling GouramiTrichopsis pumila |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Mekong basin and peninsular Thailand | Southeast Asia (Mekong, Chao Phraya) |
| Family | Osphronemidae | Osphronemidae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 2–10 |
| Flow rate | Very low | Still to Low |
| Min tank | 60 L | 40 L |
| Adult size | 5–7 cm | 3.5–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–5 yrs | 4–5 yrs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Micropredator |
| Water column | Mid to top | Mid to Top |
| Schooling | No | Loose group |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (with adults) | Mostly |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Croaking Gourami and Sparkling Gourami together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Croaking Gourami or the Sparkling Gourami?
They sit at the same care level, both beginner-friendly, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Croaking Gourami and Sparkling Gourami need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Croaking Gourami and the Sparkling Gourami?
Space. The Croaking Gourami wants about 60 litres minimum and the Sparkling Gourami around 40, so tank size can settle it.