Tank mates for dwarf gouramis

We checked dwarf gouramis against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for dwarf gouramis include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and african dwarf frog. Avoid betta fish, cherry shrimp and common goldfish: betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.

Dwarf gouramis: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 7.5 cm (3 in), minimum tank 15 gallons (57 L). Full dwarf gourami care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (61)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (63)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

  • Angelfish · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
  • Guppy · 10+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase guppies, which use the same area.
  • Neon tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Zebra danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
    • Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
    • Black skirt tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
    • Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf gouramis.
  • Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Clown loach · 180+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Denison barb · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Denison barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Discus · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • German blue ram · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
  • Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Honey gourami · 10+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of honey gouramis are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase honey gouramis, which use the same area.
  • Kribensis · 29+ gal
    • Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of pearl gouramis are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl gouramis, which use the same area.
  • Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Rosy barb · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Rosy barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase three spot gouramis, which use the same area.
    • Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
    • Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase dwarf gouramis, which use the same area.
  • Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
    • Yoyo loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase african butterfly fish, which use the same area.
    • African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase dwarf gouramis, which use the same area.
  • Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
    • Black ghost knifefish may eat dwarf gouramis, especially young or small ones.
  • Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
    • Black phantom tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
    • Bleeding heart tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase bloodfin tetras, which use the same area.
    • Bloodfin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Clown killifish · 10+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase clown killifish, which use the same area.
  • Congo tetra · 40+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of Congo tetras are an easy target.
  • Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
    • Diamond tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Dwarf gourami may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
    • Dwarf orange crayfish sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase Endler's livebearers, which use the same area.
  • Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase forktail blue-eyes, which use the same area.
  • Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Giant danio · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase giant danios, which use the same area.
    • Giant danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Gold barb · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Gold barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase golden wonder killifish, which use the same area.
  • Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
    • Kissing gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf gouramis.
  • Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
  • Odessa barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Odessa barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Panda garra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Penguin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase scissortail rasboras, which use the same area.
  • Severum · 55+ gal
    • Severum is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf gouramis.
  • Swordtail · 29+ gal
    • Swordtail sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
  • Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of threadfin rainbowfish are an easy target.
  • Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
    • Tinfoil barb may eat dwarf gouramis, especially young or small ones.
  • Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Zebra loach · 29+ gal
    • Zebra loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
    • Black ruby barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • Glowlight danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of moonlight gouramis are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase moonlight gouramis, which use the same area.
  • Pearl danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl danios, which use the same area.
    • Pearl danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
    • Silvertip tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
  • Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
    • Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of thick-lipped gouramis are an easy target.
    • Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase thick-lipped gouramis, which use the same area.
  • Variatus platy · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (25)

  • Betta fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Cherry shrimp: Dwarf gourami eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
  • Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
  • Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Oscar: Oscar can eat dwarf gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of dwarf gouramis.
  • Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
  • Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
  • Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Dwarf gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Dwarf gouramis don't belong in that setup.
  • Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
  • Pea puffer: Pea puffer is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of dwarf gouramis. Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
  • Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Dwarf gouramis don't belong in that setup.
  • Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Dwarf gouramis don't belong in that setup.
  • Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat dwarf gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Dwarf gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
  • Buenos Aires tetra: Buenos Aires tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of dwarf gouramis.
  • Crystal red shrimp: Dwarf gourami eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
  • Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Dwarf gouramis don't belong in that setup.
  • Frontosa: Frontosa can eat dwarf gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Dwarf gouramis don't belong in that setup.
  • Green terror: Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
  • Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
  • Paradise fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Serpae tetra: Serpae tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of dwarf gouramis.
  • Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Dwarf gouramis don't belong in that setup.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with dwarf gouramis?

Good tank mates for dwarf gouramis include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and african dwarf frog. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat dwarf gouramis.

Can dwarf gouramis live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.

Can dwarf gouramis live with bettas?

No. Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals. Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

Can dwarf gouramis live with bristlenose plecos?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can dwarf gouramis live with bronze corydoras?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.