Species › Bettas and gouramis

Honey gourami tank mates and minimum tank size

Trichogaster chuna

Honey gouramis grow to 14 cm (5.4 in). They live in groups: keep at least 6. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 22–27 °C (72–81 °F) and pH 6.0–7.5.

Minimum tank

54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

14 cm (5.4 in)

Temperature

22–27 °C (72–81 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–7.5

Group

6 or more

Honey gourami minimum tank size

Honey gouramis need at least 54 L (14 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 14 cm (5.4 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (55 cm (22 in)).

Honey gourami tank mates

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

Compatible (27)

• Angelfish
• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cherry barb
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Discus
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Harlequin rasbora
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Peppered corydoras
• Platy
• Red tail shark
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Zebra danio

With care (19)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and honey gouramis. That leaves no margin. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by honey gouramis and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy honey gouramis are likely targets. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by honey gouramis and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiDwarf gouramis fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and honey gouramis are one of them.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• German blue ramThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by German blue rams and honey gouramis. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by honey gouramis and German blue rams. That leaves no margin. German blue rams (4.2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and honey gouramis. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and honey gouramis. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• Rosy barbThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by honey gouramis and rosy barbs. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by honey gouramis and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy honey gouramis are likely targets.
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy honey gouramis are likely targets. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• White cloud mountain minnowThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by honey gouramis and white cloud mountain minnows. That leaves no margin.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy honey gouramis are likely targets. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.

Not compatible (6)

• BettaBettas fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and honey gouramis are one of them. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as honey gouramis, many do not.
• Cherry shrimpHoney gouramis grow to 14 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so honey gouramis would be harassed.
• GoldfishHoney gouramis need 22–27 °C (72–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; honey gouramis grow to 14 cm. Honey gouramis (14 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishParadise fish fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and honey gouramis are one of them. The only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by honey gouramis and paradise fish. That leaves no margin.

Sources

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

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

Check against another species Plan a tank