Sexing gouramis

[hongrui]

i'm planning to obtain 4-6 pieces of sparkling gouramis (Trichopsis pumila) for a 16"x10"x11" tank.

should i get them in pairs? i.e. 2 males with 2 females? or would they be happier with 1 male with 2-3 females (like guppies)?

and also how do i sex them? any easy-to-tell distingushing features that will allow a newbie to tell the boys apart from the girls?

thanks in advance

[benny]

Take note of the difference between sparkling gourami and pygmy sparkling gourami.


Trichopsis pumila a.k.a. pygmy sparkling gourami grows up to 3 cm


Trichopsis vittata a.k.a. sparkling gourami grows up to 6 cm.

Cheers,

[MrTree]

boys are more colorful. get 6 pc, definitely will have a pair unless you are very unlucky(or lucky perhaps). Try to chose females first, males are a lot easier.

[hongrui]

Take note of the difference between sparkling gourami and pygmy sparkling gourami.

Trichopsis pumila a.k.a. pygmy sparkling gourami grows up to 3 cm

Trichopsis vittata a.k.a. sparkling gourami grows up to 6 cm.

oh i was thinking Trichopsis vittata is croaking gourami, and Trichopsis pumila is sparkling gourami. but i guess common names doesn't mean much.
thanks benny.

MrTree: okay, thanks.

can i just check if the 'sparkling gouramis' @ TB Ben (WuHu) is Trichopsis vittata or Trichopsis pumila?

[solonavi]

Saw some at seaview last weekend also. Any got the correct ID?

JC

[hongrui]

if the 3 dark bars on Trichopsis vittata is a distinguishing feature, then the 'sparkling gouramis' @ TB Ben (WuHu) are Trichopsis pumila - i think