Species › Bettas and gouramis

Pearl gourami tank mates and minimum tank size

Trichopodus leerii

Pearl gouramis grow to 12 cm (4.7 in). They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 6.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

81 L (21 US gal), at least 90 cm (35 in) long

Adult size

12 cm (4.7 in)

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–8.0

Group

no minimum

Pearl gourami minimum tank size

Pearl gouramis need at least 81 L (21 US gal), in a tank at least 90 cm (35 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 12 cm (4.7 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (48 cm (19 in)).

Pearl gourami tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against pearl 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
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Molly
• Mystery snail
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Platy
• Red tail shark
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail

With care (15)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishPearl 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 pearl gouramis and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy pearl gouramis are likely targets. Pearl 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 pearl gouramis and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiDwarf gouramis fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and pearl gouramis are one of them.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• German blue ramThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by pearl gouramis and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by pearl gouramis and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy pearl gouramis are likely targets.
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy pearl gouramis are likely targets. Pearl gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy pearl gouramis are likely targets. Pearl gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.
• Zebra danioThe only temperature that suits both is 24 °C (75 °F), set by pearl gouramis and zebra danios. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (10)

• BettaBettas fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and pearl gouramis are one of them. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as pearl gouramis, many do not.
• Cherry shrimpPearl gouramis grow to 12 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 pearl gouramis would be harassed.
• GoldfishPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Pearl gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; pearl gouramis grow to 12 cm. Pearl gouramis (12 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Paradise fish fight bettas, gouramis and paradise fish, and pearl gouramis are one of them.
• Peppered corydorasPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras and pearl gouramis: it is small enough to be eaten. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• Rosy barbPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °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.

Check against another species Plan a tank