Gouramis are plenty of fun to watch in the tank, but sometimes you want a little more variety. You may ask yourself what the 15 best gourami tank mates could be.
Gouramis will only get along with tank mates who are peaceful or inhabit different zones of the tank than their bottom area, such as the glowlight tetra or molly fish.
In this article we will go over the 15 best gourami tank mates so you can understand why they pair well with your timid fish, and a few FAQs, too!
Contents
Gourami Tank Mates – What You Need to Know
Your gourami has needs, and if you are going to choose a tank mate, they will need to be compatible with those needs! The most important ones to know are listed below:
Temperament
As stated above a gourami’s temperament is non-aggressive and a little on the timid side. This means that they are easily bullied or even killed when put into a tank with fish that would rather start a fight than swim peacefully.
Be sure to pick out tank mates that have personalities which match up with the easygoing gourami! Also, it is important to note that although gouramis are perfectly mannered when interacting with other fish, if they have to share space with other gouramis, they will begin showing an aggressive streak!
Size
In terms of size, a gourami is generally around 4 to 6 inches. This is not necessarily a tiny fish, but because of their temperament, it is important that they not be kept with fish that are large enough to eat them. Sticking with fish that are roughly the same size or at least too big to consider snacking on one another is the best way to go.
Competition
Fish do tend to compete for food even when they are not living in the wild. As easygoing as the gourami is, it may not be above eating another fish’s share of the grub when feeding time comes if the other fish is too slow to compete. This goes both ways; if another fish eats a similar diet and is faster than the gourami, you could have starving fish in your tank.
To avoid this, match up tank mates that have a variance in diet or feeding tendencies.
Parameters & Tank Setup
The size of the tank depends on which gourami species you have. In general, the minimum size for smaller gouramis like the dwarf or sparkling gourami should be around 10 gallons, while 30 gallons at least are necessary for larger sizes like blue and opaline.
However, if you have a kissing gourami, you will need a whopping 55 gallon tank—and all of this must be increased for the safety of the fish with every tank mate you add.
Even non-aggressive fish like gouramis and their tank mates can get frantic for space and hurt one another or themselves when they are kept in conditions that are too small.
Additionally, the gourami needs water at a temperature of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so fish that need a colder environment should not be kept as tank mates.
15 Best Gourami Tank Mates
The list below contains the top picks for gourami tank mates!
- Glowlight Tetra
- Panda Corydoras
- Harlequin Rasbora
- Khuli Loach
- Amano Shrimp
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Mystery Snail
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Cherry Barb
- Ember Tetra
- Pygmy Corydoras
- Glass Catfish
- Molly Fish
- Cardinal Tetra
- Neon Tetra
Read on to see the details of each tank mate, including the size living conditions they need and what makes them compatible with your gourami.
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1. Glowlight Tetra
- Scientific Name: Hemigrammus Erythrozonus
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 74 to 82 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Medium Difficulty
- Origin: Guyana
This fish is small and glows beautifully in color to contrast with gourami. They are peaceful in general as long as they are given aquarium plants to hide around. This makes them a great tank mate for the timid gourami.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Peaceful in nature, unlikely to fight with gouramis!
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Can be difficult to care for and get testy if not provided with tall or floating aquarium plants.
2. Panda Corydoras
- Scientific Name: Corydoras panda
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 68 to 77 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Peru
This fish is not aggressive and will live in harmony with your gourami as long as it is provided with enough food during its nocturnal cycle. It also needs plenty of other panda corydoras to feel secure; consider getting at least 6.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Will not attack gourami.
- Eats at a different time, preventing competition.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Should not be kept alone with gourami due to intimidation.
3. Harlequin Rasbora
- Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 72 to 79 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra
Though the harlequin rasbora does tend to attack smaller types of schooling fish, gouramis do not often fall into that same category and are therefore safe. This leaves you to enjoy the beauty of the fiery-colored fish!
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Will not attach non-schooling gourami.
- Eats a separate diet to discourage fierce food competition.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- None!
4. Kuhli loach
- Scientific Name: Pangio kuhlii
- Adult Size: 4 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 75 to 86 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 2 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Southeast Asia
These scavengers are odd-looking, tending to live on the bottom of the tank in peace. They will eat the detritus of other fish, including the gourami, and only need a few caves to dwell in peaceably. It is worth noting that they enjoy the company of three or more other loaches.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Will not attack gourami
- Eat a different diet than gourami, preventing violent food competition
- Live on the bottom of the tank.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Needs caves to explore
- Needs other loaches for safety
5. Amano Shrimp
- Scientific Name: Caridina multidentata
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 70 to 82 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Japan
This shrimp is another scavenger that will eat any leftovers and makes a great janitor for your tank. It is also fine with a tiny amount of space and will hide among plants without harming, scaring, or stealing the food of your easygoing gourami. This shrimp can be a great tank mate for dwarf gourami but may become an expensive snack for larger gourami species.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- No food competition
- No chance of attack
- Will clean up after gourami leftovers
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- None!
6. Bristlenose Pleco
- Scientific Name: Ancistrus cirrhosus
- Adult Size: 5 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 73 to 81 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Amazon basin
The bristlenose pleco is not only adorable with it’s long, droopy face and speckled body, but it can handle both fresh and brackish water as well as staying in a different zone from the gourami. It can sometimes be territorial, but the good news is gourami and bristlenose plecos rarely interact anyway.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Eats a wide diet and will not compete violently for food against gouramis.
- Stays in a different zone and will not attack gouramis frequently.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- None!
7. Mystery Snail
- Scientific Name: Pomacea bridgesii
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 68 to 82 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 5 Gallons
- Care Level: Medium Difficulty
- Origin: South America
A fun break from the usual fish on our list is the mystery snail! That’s right; this pale, freshwater snail is an opportunistic scavenger who will clean up algae.
They do eat and reproduce at an alarming rate, but the good news is, as long as water conditions are optimal for both, the gourami and mystery snail will only benefit one another!
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Separate diet makes no competition for the same meals.
- No chance of trying to eat one another.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Can reproduce at an alarming rate and overrun the tank if left unchecked.
8. Otocinclus Catfish
- Scientific Name: Otocinclus sp.
- Adult Size: 3 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 72 to 79 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South America
Another bottom-dweller gracing our list is the otocinclus catfish, which hangs out on the bottom of the tank eating debris and burying themselves in soft substrata. They are totally non-aggressive, making them the perfect fish not only to watch, but to keep as a tank mate for your peaceful gourami!
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Likes the same soft sand as digging gouramis.
- Non-aggressive; no danger of gouramis and otos hurting one another!
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- None!
9. Cherry Barb
- Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 74 to 79 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 25 Gallons
- Care Level: Difficult
- Origin: Sri Lanka
Cherry barbs are small and energetic, but they can be aggressive. However fiery their temper is, matching their bright coloration, they can still be kept with gouramis as long as two rules are followed.
The first rule is that they need plants to break their line of sight so that they don’t engage with gouramis too often. The second is that they prefer the company of their own kind.
However beautiful they are, and even though it is possible to keep them in the same tank as gouramis, it is worth noting the fact that cherry barbs are hard to keep healthy. They are prone to getting fat and sluggish if fed too much sugary or fatty food.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Can be distracted from fighting with gourami.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Cannot be kept in a small tank
- Prone to obesity.
10. Ember Tetra
- Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon amandae
- Adult Size: 3 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 75 to 80 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Brazil
This goldfish-looking tank mate is a peace-loving favorite among tank owners. Not only are they delightful to look at, but they are easy to care for and very compatible with other peaceful breeds like the gourami.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Non-aggressive, so no chance of frightening or worrying the gourami!
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- None!
11. Pygmy Corydoras
- Scientific Name: Corydoras pygmaeus, habrosus, hastatus
- Adult Size: 1 and a half inches
- Compatible With: Gouramis
- Water Temperature: 72 to 79 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Brazil, South America, Ecuador
Pygmy Corydoras are small fish that might go unnoticed at first, but there is no denying that having such a tiny catfish is one of the most adorable additions you can make to your aquarium!
Not only that, but their peaceful nature and confidence when kept with at least three other cordydoras make it a great tank mate for gouramis.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Non aggressive; will not attack gouramis!
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Must be kept with at least 3 others of its kind.
12. Glass Catfish
- Scientific Name: Kryptopterus bicirrhis
- Adult Size: 5 inches
- Compatible With: Gouramis
- Water Temperature: 78 to 80 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Southeast Asia
The glass catfish is also called the ghost fish. It is incredibly peaceful in temperament and helps out by cleaning up leftovers at the bottom of the tank. It looks like the shadow of a typical fish, so that adds visual interest to your tank, too!
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Uninterested in aggression toward other fish.
- Will not compete for the gourami’s food.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- None!
13. Molly Fish
- Scientific Name: Poecilia Sphenops
- Adult Size: 5 inches
- Compatible With: Gouramis
- Water Temperature: 78 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Mexico, Southern North America
Molly fish are adorable, easily adapt to water conditions, and are absolutely beautiful. They look like little slices of sunshine swimming around your tank! They are also incredibly peaceful and can be kept in tanks with gouramis and guppies alike.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Peaceful in nature
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Do not live long and may need to be replaced after a year or two.
14. Cardinal Tetra
- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Gourami
- Water Temperature: 73 to 81 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon
- Care Level: Medium Difficulty
- Origin: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia
This fish is not only a remarkable choice for its bright red-white-and-blue coloration, but because it shares many of the exact same tank requirements as the gourami. Cardinal tetra are another fish that enjoys the safety of a school so consider getting at least 6.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- Shares the same pH, oxygen, and temperature needs.
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Cannot be kept with a school of other cardinals; they will attack the gourami.
15. Neon Tetra
- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches
- Compatible With: Gouramis
- Water Temperature: 69 to 79 F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
- Care Level: Medium Difficulty
- Origin: Southeastern Colombia, Western Brazil, Eastern Peru
The neon tetra has many varieties of colors, but they are all beautiful with their characteristic stripes. They will clean up the leftovers and gourami leftovers, but they do generally like colder water temperatures, making them difficult to care for in tandem with the gourami.
Still, neon tetras are non-aggressive and will not try to steal gouramis food if made tank mates with them.
Pros of keeping with Gourami:
- No food competition
- No aggression
Cons of keeping with Gourami :
- Needs colder temperatures than the gourami prefers.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, the 15 best gourami tank mates are fish that will mix well with the gourami’s easy going personality. Sometimes it is enough to have a fish like a neon tetra or molly fish that won’t want to fight. Other times, it is enough to simply keep fish that inhabit different zones of the tank or can be discouraged from fighting by obstacles in the way.
It is certainly more than possible to have a colorful tank that not only includes gouramis, but a few peaceable friends, too!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Fish do Gouramis get along with?
Gouramis can get along with any fish that is not overly aggressive and large enough to eat it. The things you must consider when looking for a peaceful existence between your gourami and any tank mates is that gouramis are not aggressive and they tend to be schooling fish when given more of their kind to hang out with.
Other schooling fish may attack gourami that are in groups, but they may leave a single gourami alone. All in all, peaceful fish like the cardinal tetra and cherry barb are more than capable of sharing space with a gourami.
Can gouramis go in a community tank?
Yes, thanks to their peaceful nature, gouramis are fine to go into a community tank. Just make sure no larger, aggressive fish share the space, or the gourami may get eaten!
How many gouramis should be kept together?
Generally, gouramis can be kept with groups of four, six, or even more!
Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.