{"product_id":"sparkling-gourami-pair","title":"Sparkling Gourami (Pair)","description":"\u003c!-- ============================================================\n     BEST4PETS.IN — PRODUCT DESCRIPTION BLOCK (DARK THEME)\n     Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)\n     Recoloured for a dark section background.\n     Paste into Shopify \u003e Product \u003e Description \u003e \"\u003c\u003e\" (Show HTML)\n     ============================================================ --\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#EAF0F5;line-height:1.65;font-size:16px;max-width:760px;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- HOOK --\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;margin:0 0 18px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    Turn the filter off for a minute and put your ear near the glass. \u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eThe Sparkling Gourami actually talks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Males produce a dry, clicking croak — a real, audible sound made by snapping modified tendons in the pectoral fins — when they display, court, or square up to a rival. There are barely a handful of aquarium fish that do this, and none of the others fit in a 20-litre tank.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 22px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    Under tank light the body lights up in metallic blue-green speckling over a translucent bronze base, with red-and-blue edged fins and bright turquoise eyes. It is a labyrinth fish, a miniature relative of the Betta, and it behaves like one — deliberate, curious, and completely unbothered by low-flow, heavily planted, blackwater-style setups where most fish sulk.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- SIGNATURE CALLOUT --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv style=\"border-left:4px solid #F2A03D;background:rgba(242,160,61,0.13);padding:14px 18px;margin:0 0 26px;border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;color:#F7E4CB;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFC978;\"\u003eBest kept as a group of 6 or more.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single pair is quiet and shy. A group establishes a loose pecking order, and that is when the croaking, flaring and colour actually start.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- QUICK FACTS --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eCare Snapshot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:0 0 30px;font-size:15px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);width:42%;color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eScientific name\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrichopsis pumila\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eAlso known as\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003ePygmy Gourami, Croaking Gourami, Dwarf Croaking Gourami\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003eMekong basin — Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern Laos\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eAdult size\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e3.5–4 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e4–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e20 litres for a pair · 45 litres+ for a group of 6\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e2–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003eMicropredator — small meaty foods, micro-granules\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003ePeaceful, shy; males mildly territorial with each other\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eCare level\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003eEasy to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eSwimming zone\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003eMiddle and upper, among plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- SETUP --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eSetting Up For It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 30px;padding-left:20px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003ePlant it heavily and cover the surface.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cryptocoryne, Java fern, Bucephalandra and a mat of floating plants — Salvinia, Frogbit, Red Root Floater. Cover is what makes this fish come out; a bare tank turns it into a permanent hider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eKeep the flow low.\u003c\/strong\u003e A sponge filter is ideal. It breathes air at the surface, so a churning outlet works against it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eLeave a warm air gap and use a tight lid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Labyrinth fish gulp air above the water. Cold, dry room air over an open tank causes respiratory damage — the gap between water and lid should stay warm and humid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eTannins help.\u003c\/strong\u003e Catappa leaves or a piece of driftwood soften the water, dim the light and deepen the iridescence. This is a blackwater fish by preference.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eDark substrate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Colour is far stronger over dark sand or fine gravel than over light-coloured substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- TANK MATES --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:16px;margin:0 0 30px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 260px;border:1px solid rgba(95,212,196,0.35);background:rgba(95,212,196,0.08);border-radius:8px;padding:16px 18px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:700;color:#5FD4C4;\"\u003eGood matches\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003eChili Rasbora and other \u003cem\u003eBoraras\u003c\/em\u003e, Espei\/Harlequin Rasbora, Pygmy Corydoras, Otocinclus, Kuhli Loach, Ember Tetra, Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp (adults), Nerite snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 260px;border:1px solid rgba(242,160,61,0.4);border-radius:8px;padding:16px 18px;background:rgba(242,160,61,0.1);\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:700;color:#FFC978;\"\u003eKeep away from\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003eTiger Barbs and other nippers, Danios, Angelfish, larger gouramis including Dwarf and Pearl, Bettas, any cichlid. Fast or boisterous fish will out-compete it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 30px;font-size:15px;color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003eNote: adult dwarf shrimp are safe, but shrimplets will be eaten. Plan accordingly if you are breeding shrimp in the same tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- FEEDING --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    The mouth is tiny — this is the single most common reason Sparkling Gouramis fail in a community tank. Standard flake and 1 mm pellets are simply too large, and the fish quietly starves while the owner assumes it is eating.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    Feed small, sinking-to-mid-water particles twice a day, only what is cleared in two minutes. From the \u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eAQA\u003c\/strong\u003e range, use the finest-grade micro granule as the daily staple, alternating with a freeze-dried or frozen meaty food two or three times a week for colour and breeding condition.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 30px;font-size:15px;color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003e\n    Live and frozen foods it particularly favours: baby brine shrimp, daphnia, moina, cyclops, grindal worms, chopped bloodworm.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- SEXING \u0026 BREEDING --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eSexing \u0026amp; Breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    \u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eMales\u003c\/strong\u003e have longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins with stronger red and blue edging, and croak far more often. \u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eFemales\u003c\/strong\u003e are rounder in the body, shorter-finned and duller. Both sexes can vocalise. Holding a torch to the flank of a mature female shows the ovaries as a pale mass — the most reliable field method.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 30px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    Breeding is achievable at home. The male builds a small bubble nest, usually beneath a broad leaf or inside a cave, spawns in an embrace, then takes over guarding and tending the eggs. Fry hatch in 2–3 days and are free-swimming by day 4–5. They are very small and need infusoria or liquid fry food before they can manage baby brine shrimp. Raise them in a shallow, well-covered tank with warm surface air.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- INDIA NOTES --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eKeeping It In Indian Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 30px;padding-left:20px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003eAcross most of India this fish needs \u003cstrong style=\"color:#FFFFFF;\"\u003eno heater for much of the year\u003c\/strong\u003e — room temperature sits comfortably in range. In Bengaluru, Pune and hill-station winters, a small heater set to 24 °C prevents the night-time dips that trigger fin clamping and ich.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003eIn peak summer, watch for temperatures above 30 °C. Warm water holds less oxygen; increase surface agitation slightly and keep the lid gap ventilated but still warm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom:9px;\"\u003eMost Indian municipal supplies are moderately hard and alkaline, which this fish tolerates well once acclimatised. Colour and breeding response improve markedly with catappa leaves or a small share of RO water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- WHAT YOU GET --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv style=\"border-top:2px solid #5FD4C4;padding-top:18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 style=\"font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5FD4C4;margin:0 0 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eWhat You Receive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;font-size:15px;color:#EAF0F5;\"\u003e\n      Juvenile to young adult specimens, approximately 2–3 cm, quarantined and conditioned at our Bengaluru facility before dispatch. Sex cannot be guaranteed on juveniles. Packed with oxygen and insulation for pan-India delivery.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:15px;color:#A9BCCB;\"\u003e\n      Covered by the Best4Pets live arrival guarantee. Please film an unboxing video before opening the bag — it is required for any DOA claim.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Best4Pets","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44583352107097,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0075\/9814\/5587\/files\/sparkling-gourami-www-best4pets-in.jpg?v=1787798788","url":"https:\/\/www.best4pets.in\/products\/sparkling-gourami-pair","provider":"Best4Pets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}