Species › Bettas and gouramis

Dwarf gourami tank mates and minimum tank size

Trichogaster lalius

Dwarf gouramis grow to 9.5 cm (3.7 in). They need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F) and pH 6.0–7.5.

Minimum tank

56 L (15 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

9.5 cm (3.7 in)

Temperature

25–27 °C (77–81 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–7.5

Group

no minimum

Dwarf gourami minimum tank size

Dwarf gouramis need at least 56 L (15 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 9.5 cm (3.7 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (38 cm (15 in)).

Dwarf gourami tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against dwarf gouramis by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (23)

• Angelfish
• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cherry barb
• Chili rasbora
• Clown loach
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Discus
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach

With care (19)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and dwarf gouramis. That leaves no margin.
• Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by dwarf gouramis and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger dwarf gouramis (9.5 cm).
• Cherry shrimpDwarf gouramis (9.5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by dwarf gouramis and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger dwarf gouramis (9.5 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger dwarf gouramis (9.5 cm).
• German blue ramThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by German blue rams and dwarf gouramis. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by dwarf gouramis and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyDwarf gouramis and guppies: brightly coloured guppies can make male dwarf gouramis aggressive.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiDwarf gouramis fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and honey gouramis are one of them.
• KribensisThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and kribensis. That leaves no margin.
• MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and dwarf gouramis. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and dwarf gouramis. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Panda corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and panda corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiDwarf gouramis fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and pearl gouramis are one of them.
• PlatyThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and platies. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by dwarf gouramis and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (10)

• BettaBettas fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and dwarf gouramis are one of them. Dwarf gouramis fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and bettas are one of them. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as dwarf gouramis, many do not.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so dwarf gouramis would be harassed.
• GoldfishDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; dwarf gouramis grow to 9.5 cm. The only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and oscars. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Paradise fish fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and dwarf gouramis are one of them. Dwarf gouramis fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and paradise fish are one of them.
• Peppered corydorasDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras and dwarf gouramis: it is small enough to be eaten. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger dwarf gouramis (9.5 cm).
• Rosy barbDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Zebra danioDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); zebra danios need 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

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