Bubble-nester; the male builds the nest in a tube or cave, under a broad leaf or among fine surface plants, and guards the eggs.
Keep a small group in a quiet tank and watch for a pair. Males croak when ready.
A 10 gallon (40 L) planted tank with caves or small PVC tubes, 25-27 C, soft acidic water, and a lid.
Warm, soft water, live foods and a quiet tank. Males show off to females near a cave.
About 70-180 eggs per spawning; they hatch in 24-48 hours and fry stay in the nest 2-3 more days until the yolk sac is used up.
Feed infusoria for the first week, then baby brine shrimp. Fry are very small and slow to grow. Remove the female if she is chased.
One breeding tank for the sparkling gourami, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 25–27 °C · pH 6–7.5 · soft water
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 4 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the sparkling gourami in numbers.
In total: 4 tanks, about 240 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Mature males have longer ventral, anal, dorsal and tail fins and stronger colour. Females can be told by the ovaries, visible when a strong light shines through the body.
Typical for bubble-nest builders
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.