Sparkling gouramis with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

The sparkling gourami (Trichopsis pumila), also called the pygmy gourami, is a tiny labyrinth fish from the lower Mekong basin and central and southern Thailand (Seriously Fish). It rarely grows past about 1.5 inches (The Shrimp Farm), and both sexes make audible croaking sounds (Seriously Fish). Most gouramis are on shrimp keepers' avoid lists, so this one gets asked about a lot.

Sparkling gouramis at a glance

Will sparkling gouramis eat shrimp?

• Adults: usually not, if the shrimp is big enough. The Shrimp Farm's tankmates guide rates them "does not eat adult shrimp" and says they are so small that a large shrimp outgrows them.
• Shrimplets: yes. The Shrimp Farm's care guide says bugs are their favorite food and that with cherry shrimp you should be prepared to lose most of the fry, even in a densely planted tank.
• Small shrimp: Seriously Fish says some aquarists report that sparkling gouramis prey on small shrimp from Caridina and Neocaridina. That includes cherry shrimp and crystal or bee shrimp.
• Prized shrimp: The Shrimp Farm says it wouldn't keep its prized bee shrimp with them.
• Amanos: The Shrimp Farm calls Amano shrimp an excellent option because they can grow as large as a sparkling gourami.

Our reading: the references agree that shrimplets are at risk and differ on how safe small adult shrimp are, so treat a cherry colony with sparkling gouramis as a display tank, not a breeding tank. For the gourami most often compared with it, see honey gouramis with shrimp, and for the full list, cherry shrimp tank mates.

Matching the water

The shared zone is our comparison of the published ranges, not a tested target. The Shrimp Farm says sparkling gouramis prefer slightly soft, acidic water, so they sit at the softer end of what cherry shrimp accept. See Amano shrimp care, shrimp GH and KH explained and shrimp tank pH.

Tank size and setup

• Size and shape: The Shrimp Farm says 10 gallons and up, in a rectangular tank rather than a square or tall one. Seriously Fish says an 18 × 12 in base holds a pair or small group.
• Lid or low water line: Seriously Fish says to keep the tank covered and not filled to the top, because labyrinth fish need access to the humid air layer above the water. The Shrimp Farm says to use a lid or keep the water well below the rim, since that air layer needs to be warm and moist.
• Shade and cover: Seriously Fish recommends a well-planted, shady tank with floating plants or tall stems, plus leaf litter. That cover also hides shrimplets; see java moss and driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Gentle filter: Seriously Fish says to avoid strong water movement and use a gently running air-powered sponge filter, which also protects shrimplets; see shrimp-safe filters.

Feeding both

• Small foods for the fish: The Shrimp Farm says captive sparkling gouramis take floating microfoods, including betta formulas, and recommends regular frozen foods. Seriously Fish suggests small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia and bloodworm.
• Feed the shrimp on the bottom: drop sinking shrimp food into the plants after the fish have eaten. See best shrimp food.
• Well-fed fish hunt less. Practical Fishkeeping lists keeping fish well fed, with plants and hiding places, as ways to reduce shrimp losses.

Tank mates around them

Seriously Fish suggests keeping sparkling gouramis alone or with very peaceful fish of similar size, such as Boraras or Trigonostigma rasboras and small Pangio loaches, because bigger, more vigorous fish intimidate and outcompete them. On this site, see chili rasboras with shrimp, harlequin rasboras with shrimp and kuhli loaches with shrimp.

Safer choices if shrimp come first

If you want a colony that grows quickly, remember The Shrimp Farm's rule that the only fully safe fish are ones too small to fit a newborn shrimp in their mouths. For a fish that leaves shrimplets mostly alone, see otocinclus. If you want a labyrinth fish anyway, compare bettas with shrimp.

How to add sparkling gouramis to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish.
• Mature tank: fully cycled and stable; see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Adding sparkling gouramis to a bee or crystal shrimp tank.
• Counting on a fast-growing cherry colony with gouramis present.
• Leaving the lid off or filling the tank to the brim.
• Two males in a small tank.
• Strong flow, or boisterous tank mates that outcompete them.
• Medicating fish in the shrimp tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Do sparkling gouramis eat shrimp?

They eat baby shrimp. The Shrimp Farm says they do not eat adult shrimp but expects most cherry shrimp fry to be lost, and Seriously Fish notes reports of them preying on small Caridina and Neocaridina.

Can sparkling gouramis live with cherry shrimp?

Sometimes. The Shrimp Farm says cherry shrimp may work in densely planted tanks, but be prepared to lose most of the babies. Do not count on the colony growing.

What is the best shrimp to keep with sparkling gouramis?

Amano shrimp. The Shrimp Farm says Amanos can grow as large as a sparkling gourami, so they do not make a convenient meal.

Can sparkling gouramis live with crystal or bee shrimp?

The Shrimp Farm says it would not keep prized bee shrimp with them, and Seriously Fish notes reports of them preying on small Caridina.

What size tank do sparkling gouramis and shrimp need?

The Shrimp Farm says 10 gallons or more in a rectangular tank, and Seriously Fish says an 18 by 12 inch base holds a pair or small group. Keep it covered.

Are sparkling gouramis safer with shrimp than honey gouramis?

The Shrimp Farm names the sparkling gourami as the exception among labyrinth fish because it is so small, and does not make the same exception for honey gouramis.

Sources: The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (only fish that can't fit a newly hatched shrimp in their mouths are fully shrimp-safe; sparkling gourami: Trichopsis pumila, up to 1.6 in, 10+ gallons, easy, does not eat adult shrimp; labyrinth fish such as gouramis and bettas eat bugs, steer clear of most species, exceptions are fish so tiny that a large shrimp outgrows them); The Shrimp Farm, Sparkling gourami care (pygmy gourami; rarely more than 1.5 in; croaks; croaks; labyrinth organ; Mekong basin swamps, sluggish rivers, wetlands, rice paddies, canals; 10+ gallons, rectangular not tall; lid or water line well below the rim for warm, moist air; slightly soft, acidic water, pH 6.0–7.5, 71–83 °F; males squabble, one male in smaller set-ups; wouldn't keep prized bee shrimp with them; cherry shrimp may work in densely planted tanks but expect to lose most of the fry; Amanos can grow as large as a sparkling gourami and are an excellent option; bugs are the favorite food; floating microfoods, betta formulas, regular frozen foods); Seriously Fish, Trichopsis pumila (sparkling gourami) (lower Mekong basin and central and southern Thailand; both sexes croak; 40 mm SL; 45 × 30 cm base for a pair or small group; 22–28 °C, pH 5.0–7.5, 1–12 dGH; well-planted, shady, floating plants, leaf litter; gentle air-powered sponge filter; well covered and not filled to the top; insects and small invertebrates; small live and frozen foods; pair or small group alone or with very peaceful similar-size species such as Boraras, Trigonostigma and Pangio; some aquarists report it preys on small Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp; bubble-nester); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (large gouramis don't belong with shrimp; plants, hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses; let the colony build first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zone is our own comparison of these ranges.