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If you’re looking to bring the beauty of Gourami fish into your home aquarium, this post will show you how. With their vibrant colors and generally peaceful demeanor in most breeds, these popular freshwater species make great additions to any community tank setup when paired with compatible partners! We’ll go over tips on selecting suitable Gourami tank mates that allow them (and you) to enjoy a beautiful harmony under the sea.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the differences between male and female Gouramis when choosing tank mates
- Create a suitably sized habitat with ideal water parameters for a healthy environment
- Not all Gouramis are the same. Some are more aggressive than others
- Picking a combination of midwater and bottom dwellers will help keep aggression down
Understanding The Species
Gouramis are beautiful aquatic creatures that have their roots in Eastern and Southern Asia1, commonly spotted in marshy streams or water bodies such as wetlands. These fish, known for their peaceful temperament, often get picked up to be part of community tanks where it’s critical to choose its tank mates carefully according to the Gourami’s behavior needs, habitat preferences, and even specific environmental requirements. To keep your pet healthy, one must select appropriate companions so they may feel comfortable with each other while residing together.
Male Vs Female Differences
When selecting tank mates, it is important to understand the differences between male and females. Males have brighter and bolder colors. They are often sold more in over females in fish stores. Males are usually shorter and thinner compared to their female counterparts. This color comes with added aggression towards fish that look like them or other males.
Females, on the other hand, are larger and rounder. They are less aggressive but also less colorful than the males. You would have your best chance of success with females over males.
Breed Differences
Some breeds are more aggressive than others. For example, the Gold Gourami and Dwarf Gourami are known in the hobby for their semi-aggressive nature. In contrast, the Honey and Pearl Gourami are two of the most peaceful Gourami fish you can purchase in the hobby and will get along with just about any fish.
Habitat Requirements And Parameters
Maintaining a healthy and stress-free environment is an essential step when looking after Gouramis. The best conditions for them require a pH of 6.8 to 7.8, with the water hardness ranging from 3 dKH up to 8 dKH at temperatures between 74°F and 80°F Fahrenheit. A top notch filtration system, as well as regularly cleaning out any waste or leftover food will help keep your tank pristine.
Tropical fish flakes and pellets are their main diet staple, but it’s worth supplementing with higher quality foods like frozen food or cultivated live foods.
Fluval bug bites tropical fish is an excellent staple food for most tropical fish. Made of black solider fly larvae
Top 15 Gourami Tank Mates
We have now achieved a better understanding of Gouramis and their needs, so it’s the right time to examine 15 best tank mates that will cohabitate successfully with your gourami. These particular species were cautiously chosen based on demeandor, compatibility as well as their capacity to create an ideal community aquarium environment.
Each one was elected for its potential of being capable of peacefully living together with Gouramis making them great companions inside the same habitat or enclosure.
1. Neon Tetra
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One of the most popular freshwater community schooling fish available in the aquarium trade. Great neon blue colors!
- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
- Adult Size: 1 inch
- pH: 6 to 8
- Water Temperature: 72 and 76°F.
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Neon Tetras are a great addition to any community tank, with their bright red and blue stripes adding plenty of colors. These peaceful schooling fish make excellent companions for Gouramis as they live peacefully in the same environment (given enough hiding spots such as plants or other shelters) and enjoy similar water conditions. This freshwater fish species is often regarded as an ideal choice for picking out suitable tank mates for your aquarium setup!
2. Cardinal Tetra
A very popular schooling fish. Looks like the Neon Tetra, but with longer blue and red stripes. Grows larger than a neon tetra as well
- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches
- pH: 4.6 to 6.2 range
- Water Temperature: 73°F to 81°F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Cardinal Tetras are an ideal choice when looking for tank mates to go with Gouramis. They may be slightly bigger than the Neon varieties, but just like their relatives, they are peaceful community fish and can get on well together in one environment. If you’re after larger schooling fish, then Cardinals make a great choice pick! To keep them comfortable, it’s important to maintain water temperatures around 24°C and create plenty of hiding spots by using leaf litter as well as floating plants if opting for a blackwater setup.
3. Harlequin Rasbora
A peaceful schooling fish. An ideal community fish. A great beginner fish
- Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- pH: 6.0 to 7.5
- Water Temperature: 72 and 81°F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Harlequins are incredibly peaceful, colorful fish that can make perfect tankmates for Gouramis and betta. These stunning aquatic animals feature orange bodies with distinctive black triangle patterning. A sense of security is gained when living in groups, so they should always be housed alongside their own kind to increase activity levels.
When it comes time to set up an aquarium environment suitable for these amazing creatures, the water must move slowly along with plenty of vegetation, plus ample swimming room as well as hiding places necessary to reduce stress.
4. Rainbowfish
- Scientific Name: Melanotaeniidae
- Adult Size: 4.7 inches
- pH: 7.0 to 8.0
- Water Temperature: 74° and 78° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Struggling to find dwarf gourami tank mates? Rainbowfish are ideal tank mates for nearly all Gourami breeds in a community tank. Distinguished by their bright hues and gentle demeanors, they can peacefully cohabitate with the species without any difficulties. Notable traits of Rainbowfish include:
- Vivid colors
- Docile temperament
- Energetic swimmers
They tend to stay towards the midsection and top part of aquariums. While they do swim in the territory of gouramis, their size keeps them from getting pushed around.
With these vibrant fish being present, your tank will take on more life. They’re robust enough to thrive under various conditions when it comes to water parameters, so you can be sure that introducing them into a Gourami environment won’t bring about any troubles if given plenty of spots for sheltering away from stressors plus space where they may flaunt around unrestrictedly.
5. Corydoras Catfish
- Scientific Name: Corydoras
- Adult Size: 2.5 to 12 cm (1.0 to 4.7 in)
- pH: 6.5 to 7.8
- Water Temperature: 72 and 82°F.
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Corydoras Catfish are an ideal tankmate for Gouramis, as they remain peaceful and stay towards the bottom. A group of six or more is recommended to observe schooling behavior while also creating a secure environment for them. Not only that, but these fish have scavenging capabilities, which help maintain a clean aquarium by consuming leftover food bits or other debris scattered around it. Corydoras catfish make great additions to any home aquarium!
6. Otocinclus
A small algae-eating fish. Also great with freshwater shrimp.
- Scientific Name: Otocinclus
- Adult Size: 1 1/2 – 2 inches
- pH: 6.0 to 7.5
- Water Temperature: 72-82°F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Otocinclus, otherwise known as the “dwarf suckermouth catfish” are an excellent tank mate for Gouramis and other fish because they eat algae and help keep tanks clean. It is suggested that at least five be placed together in one aquarium since Otocinclus tend to prefer company from their own kind.
Before introducing them into a new habitat, it’s essential that an established freshwater home has plenty of natural food sources, such as algae already available so these smaller fish have access to meals right away. Always give supplement food as they are known for doing too good of a job at wiping away algae!
7. Cherry Barb
A popular freshwater fish from the barb family. One of the most peaceful barb fish
- Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- pH: 6 to 8
- Water Temperature: 73 and 81°F.
- Minimum Tank Size: 25 to 30 gallons
Cherry Barbs are renowned for their peaceful temperament and vivacious red hue, making them an ideal choice of schooling fish to add to any community tank. These beautiful creatures thrive best in heavily planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots. A school should consist of at least eight individuals. When placed together with Gouramis, they will coexist peacefully so long as each species is given ample space and shelter within the environment.
8. Gold Barb
- Scientific Name: Barbodes semifasciolatus
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- pH: 6 to 8
- Water Temperature: 65 and 75°F.
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Gold Barbs, are an excellent choice and can happily coexist in a community aquarium. These attractive fish need plenty of areas to explore or hide amongst while also requiring stable water conditions within the ideal range. This makes them perfect even for novice aquarists looking to add some vibrant life to their Gourami setup!
9. Zebra Loach
- Scientific Name: Botia Striata
- Adult Size: 3.5 inches
- pH: 6.5 to 7.5
- Water Temperature: 73 and 79°F
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Zebra Loaches are great tank mates for Gouramis and Zebra Danios, since they’re peaceful fish that won’t overpower their size. These eye-catching creatures have black and white stripes resembling the pattern of a zebra. As well as providing an aesthetically pleasing element in the aquarium, these loaches also help to keep pest snail populations at bay, making them essential additions to your Gourami tank!
10. Kuhli Loach
- Scientific Name: Pangio Kuhlii
- Adult Size: 4 inches
- pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Water Temperature: 73 and 86°F
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Kuhli Loaches are the perfect aquatic pet for Gourami enthusiasts due to their nocturnal, snake-like features and peaceful temperament. With a scale-less body covered in alternating dark and light stripes, they bring quite an interesting addition to your tank!
These curious fish mainly originate from areas such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo or Java. For maximum enjoyment of these creatures, it’s best to have them swimming with at least eight mates so that you can witness all the amazing group activities they may get up to.
For sure, keeping Kuhli Loaches is not only mesmerizing but also practical if one has Gouramis since this species will mind its own business without bothering anyone else around it.
11. Platy Fish
- Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
- Adult Size: 2-3 inches
- pH: 7.0 to 8.5
- Water Temperature: 72 ° to 82 °F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Platy Fish are attractive and easy to look after, with the same preferred aquatic conditions as Gouramis. The recommended temperatures range from 72-78°F, a pH level of 6.5-7.5 is acceptable along with a hardness between 5-15 dGH.
When tending to Platy Fish it’s important that they have areas where they can hide away and not be mixed in with overly aggressive fish species. These placid creatures get along well cohabiting their habitats peacefully with Gouramis, who require comparable water parameters! If you keep a more aggressive gourami, consider the next livebearer below. I generally don’t recommend Endler’s or guppies as they can be small for most breeds outside of a Sparkling or Honey Gourami.
12. Molly Fish
- Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops, P. latipinna, P. velifera, etc.
- Adult Size: 4 inches
- pH: 7.0 to 8.5
- Water Temperature: 72 ° to 82 °F
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Molly Fish are a peaceful species of fish, tolerant and apt to cohabitate in an aquarium environment with Gouramis. These fish boast robust healthiness as well as being willing eaters alongside the other type of aquatic animals inhabiting the same space.
It’s essential that Molly Fish possess adequate hiding spots plus open spaces for swimming so they remain comfortable. While they are peaceful, they are big enough to not be bullied with most Gourami breeds. Both Mollies and Gouramis have omnivorous dietary habits, so there is no issue providing them both with food coming from similar sources. Mollies are also decent cleaner fish as they will consume algae in the aquarium.
13. Danio Fish
- Scientific Name: Danio spp.
- Adult Size: 1 to 4 inches
- pH: 6 to 7.5
- Water Temperature: 72 ° to 81 °F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons for most species
Danio Fish are calm and peaceful creatures. They originate from South Asia as well as Southeast Asia, making them a great choice for densely planted tanks with Gouramis, since they’re very hardy and can adapt quickly to their environment. Danio fish are very fish and should be able to dodge most aggression attempts as long as you give them enough space to maneuver. To ensure an enjoyable aquatic habitat both during the day and night, it’s essential that these active little swimmers have sufficient space available at all times.
14. Amano Shrimp
Best For Planted Tanks!
When it comes to keeping a healthy planted aquarium, Amano Shrimp are the best. These hard-working crustaceans will dutifully wipe your plants and rockwork clean of algae. Their appetite for different types of algae that can't be matched by other shrimp breeds!
- Scientific Name: Caridina multidetata
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- pH: 6 to 7.5
- Water Temperature: 65 ° to 78 °F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons for most species
The Amano Shrimp is a larger variety of dwarf shrimp and makes an interesting addition to any tank with Gouramis. Its ability to clean the area by consuming algae, coupled with its peaceful nature, gives it many benefits for this type of environment. As they are bigger than other shrimp types, there is less chance that Gouramis will see them as food!
15. Nerite Snails
Horned Nerite Snails are excellent algae eaters for planted tanks.
- Scientific Name: Neritina spp
- Adult Size: 1 inch
- pH: 6 to 8
- Water Temperature: 65 ° to 85 °F
- Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
Nerite snails are beloved by aquarium fanatics for their stunning looks and algae-eating nature, which helps to keep tanks pristine. They arrive in a selection of colors and patterns that make them stand out from the rest.
These interesting snails are ideal companions when it comes to keeping Gouramis, as they won’t multiply like some other species do if kept in freshwater aquariums, making them an effective addition with no added complications!
Other Fish Species
Here are other species that didn’t make our list but are mentioned with commentary to help you with your decision:
- Betta fish – Not compatible in most cases. Possible to get along with Pearl and Honey Gouramis
- Glass catfish – A very peaceful fish best with smaller breeds
- Mystery Snail – Great, just can be large
- Chili Rasboras – Great for peaceful smaller breeds. Risky with dwarf gouramis unless tank is long
- Angelfish – Dependent on gourami breed. Pearl gouramis are your best bet
Tips For Creating A Harmonious Community Tank
Creating a pleasant tank for Gouramis and their companions necessitates care in setup. By selecting appropriate tank mates, managing the perfect water conditions, and offering adequate hiding spots, you can create an atmosphere that is soothing as well as unperturbed for your fish species.
You must bear in mind that each kind of fish has distinct needs to be fulfilled. Thus, it’s vital to fulfill these requirements so that there will be equilibrium between them and other sorts of aquatic life in this community aquarium setup.
Providing Adequate Hiding Spots
Incorporating elements like plants, rocks and driftwood into the aquarium is paramount for reducing aggression in your Gouramis and their tank mates. Having a plethora of hiding spots will decrease competition for resources among fish within the tank, which helps to avoid disputes regarding territory.
Another factor is keeping surface dwelling fish to a minium. Stick to mid and bottom level swimmers your gouramis do not feel threatened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gouramis go in a community tank?
When it comes to keeping sparkling gouramis in a community tank, providing the necessary conditions is of utmost importance. For this type of environment, an aquarium should be properly planted with plenty of hiding spots and also offer ample space for swimming around. Optimal water temperature ranges between 72-82°F (22-28°C) while oxygenation must remain high and cleanliness essential. Fish that fit well into such tanks include species like Harlequin Rasboras or Corydoras Catfish.
How many gouramis should be kept together?
For optimal social interaction, it’s suggested to have a minimum of four fish in the tank. To get even better results, increase that number to six or more, with either only one male present or no males at all. Not all breeds are suited for group interaction. Pearl Gouramis are the best candidate for a large group.
What big fish can live with gourami?
Gouramis make an attractive addition to a tank, and can be housed with a variety of fish species such as mollies, tetras, non-fancy livebearers, certain peaceful barbs and danios. All these fish have tolerance for the mild nature of gourami, making them compatible companions in your aquarium.
Can Cory catfish live with gouramis?
A 20-gallon tank is large enough for both Cory catfish and gouramis to peacefully coexist. Thus, these two types of fish can live together in the same aquarium without any problems.
What water parameters are ideal for Gouramis?
For optimal conditions, Gouramis should be kept in an aquatic environment with a pH between 6.8 and 7.8, hardness of 3 to 8 dKH, and temperature set at 75° F – 80° F degrees Fahrenheit for optimal living results.
Closing Thoughts
With the right planning and attention to detail, you can provide a thriving environment for your Gourami community tank that will bring pleasure and beauty into your home for many years. Making sure all the fish’ needs are met – such as selecting appropriate tank mates that complement each other in terms of size, temperament, habitat requirements etc – is key to achieving harmony within this unique aquarium setup.
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I’m thrilled that you found Aquarium Store Depot! Here you’ll find information on fish, aquariums, and all things aquatics related. I’m a hobbyist (being doing this since I was 11) and here to help other hobbyists thrive with their aquariums! I adhere to a high quality Editorial Process and Review products with real life field usage and practical analysis.
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