Gourami’s are a popular choice among fish keepers for a number of reasons. They are vibrant, they have unique personalities, and are relatively easy to care for, which makes them a good choice for beginner fish keepers.
4 Peaceful Gourami's For Your Community Tank
Gouramis are a popular choice among fish keepers due to their vibrant colors, unique personalities, and compatibility with a variety of other fish species. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most community-friendly gourami and their ideal tank mates, as well as provide some insight into their personalities, preferred swimming zones, and social needs.
Before we dive into the specific fish species, let’s briefly discuss the ideal aquarium size for housing gourami and their tank mates. As a general rule of thumb, a 20 to 30 gallon tank is suitable for most gourami species and their compatible tank mates. However, larger tanks are always preferable as they provide more swimming space and allow for a greater number of fish to be kept together.
When selecting tank mates for gouramis, it’s important to consider their temperament and preferred swimming zone. Some gouramis prefer the top of the tank. In contrast, others prefer the middle or bottom because gouramis are more aggressive and territorial while inside their preferred swimming zone, while others are peaceful. Keep this in mind when it comes time to select tank mates with gouramis because these factors will help ensure a harmonious and stress-free community tank.
Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leeri)
The Pearl Gourami is a peaceful and relatively easy-to-care-for gourami species. They are known for their distinctive pearly scales and bright red fins.
Pearl gouramis prefer swimming in the middle to the top of the tank. They can grow up to 4 inches in length.
Male pearl gouramis have thinner, more angular bodies than females. Adult males are easily distinguished from females by their deep red-orange coloration on the throat and breast. They also have slightly different fins, sport a red breast, and are generally more colorful than females.
If you want Pearl gouramis in your tank, keep them in pairs or groups of at least 3. Ideally, 4 to 5 would be enough for a 30-gallon tank. Also, check that there’s enough space between the surface of the water and the tank’s lid so they can access some air.
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)
The Dwarf Gourami is a smaller, more colorful gourami species popular among fish keepers. They are known for their bright red and blue coloration and peaceful nature.
Dwarf Gouramis prefer the middle of the tank and should be kept in pairs or small groups. They can grow up to 3.5 inches in length.
Male dwarf gouramis have diagonal stripes of alternating blue and red colors; females are silvery.
Dwarf gouramis like having plenty of rooted plants to explore and play with and floating plants that diffuse intense lighting and help them create bubble nests when breeding. They can peacefully coexist with other fish species in their tank.
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
Honey gouramis are social fish that love interacting with other peaceful fish. The Honey Gourami is a small and peaceful species known for its golden coloration and black markings. They prefer swimming in the middle of the tank and should be kept in pairs or small groups.
Keeping honey gouramis is easy to care for since they are very hardy and can withstand different types of tank and water conditions. Even though they may be able to tolerate less-than-ideal conditions, this doesn’t mean they are indestructible. You should always give your fish the best care and habitat you can.
Male Honey gouramis are generally more colorful than females, exhibiting bright orange coloring around the throat region. During the breeding season, this coloring becomes much brighter to attract females. They typically reach 2.2 inches.
Three Spot Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus)
These fish are absolutely beautiful. They have the signature gourami profile, including a long ventral fin, and their color is a stunning silvery blue that shimmers in the light. They also have a dark spot on the middle of their body and the base of their tail, which provides an eye-catching accent.
They typically grow to 5 inches but have been known to reach 6 inches long in larger aquariums.
Male gouramis are incompatible with other male gouramis. Male three spot gouramis have long and pointed dorsal fins, and females have round dorsal fins. Keep three female three spot gouramis with one male gourami to control aggression. Male gouramis will harass females, which can cause stress, so ensure plenty of females are in the tank.
Three spot gouramis are active swimmers and stay close to the top of the tank. They have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe in oxygen above the water’s surface.
Three spot gouramis do well in standard tropical tank conditions. They prefer slow-moving waters and plenty of live plants to play in.
Seven community-friendly tank mates for your gouramis.
Gouramis are compatible with other peaceful community fish, such as Tetras, Rasboras, and Corydoras Catfish.
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
The Neon Tetra is a small and peaceful species of Tetra that is known for its bright blue and red coloration. They prefer swimming in the middle to the top of the tank and should be kept in schools of at least six.
Neon tetras are best kept with other small peaceful fish that come from similar habitats. A good tank mate is a dwarf gourami. It’s important to avoid larger fish, as they may see the neon tetras as food instead of tank mates. As a general rule of thumb, if the mouth of the fish opens wide enough to swallow the neon tetra, it’s likely that it will happen eventually.
Neon tetras should only be added to a fully matured tank. The water should be soft and acidic, with a pH no higher than 7.0 and a hardness of no more than 10 dGH. Blackwater extracts or driftwood can be used to darken the water, maintain an acidic pH, and soften the water.
Provide neon tetras with plenty of low-light hiding places such as vegetation and driftwood. Give them plenty of plants, including floating plants. Use darker gravel helps to replicate their natural habitat where they feel comfortable.
Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
The Harlequin Rasbora is a small and peaceful species known for its vibrant orange and blue coloration. They are popular among aquarists because they are easy to care for and look beautiful. They prefer swimming in the middle of the tank and should be kept in schools of at least six.
Male and female fish can be distinguished by their markings. The patch on the male fish is usually larger, and the bottom of the triangle is rounded. They typically reach 1.75 to inches.
Harlequin rasboras enjoy with plenty of low-light hiding places such as vegetation and driftwood. Give them plenty of plants, including floating plants. Use darker gravel helps to replicate their natural habitat where they feel comfortable.
You can also add a large group of Harlequin Rasboras to an established community tank. Ideal tank mates for these fish are small and non-aggressive. Anything else should not be considered.
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
The Cherry Barb is a small and peaceful species of Barb that is known for its bright red coloration.
Cherry Barbs typically only grow to be about 2 inches in length when properly cared for, though some may stop growing at 1 inch. The size of the fish is largely dependent on care and genetics.
Male cherry barbs tend to be more colorful than their female counterparts. Males are usually a vibrant red, while females are usually paler.
They prefer the middle of the tank and should be kept in schools of at least six. A side note: Cherry Barbs are known to be fin nippers, so keep them away from fish with long fins.
Provide them with a well-planted tank to match their natural habitat because they come from shallow, calm waters with plenty of vegetation often on the surface.
Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)
The Zebra Danio is a small and peaceful species known for its black and white striped coloration.
Zebra danios grow to be about 2.5 inches long when fully grown. Males and females are the same size, but females have a wider abdominal region than males.
Zebra danios are social fish that do best in a community tank. They are active fish that like to swim in the upper and middle sections of the tank. As schooling fish, they do best in groups of five or more. Getting the balance right is important – too few danios can cause stress, while too many can lead to hyperactivity and territorial behavior.
Zebra danios need plenty of open swimming space and a tank that is wider than tall.
Zebra danios love to explore and hide in plants. To help reduce aggression and stress, replicate their natural environment, and add plenty of plants, pieces of bogwood, and rounded pebbles to your zebra danio tank.
Celestial Pearl Danio (Celestichthys margaritatus)
The Celestial Pearl Danio is small and peaceful, known for its vibrant colors and unique pattern.
Celestial pearl danios grow about 0.75 to 1.0 inches long when fully grown. Female celestial pearl danios are generally duller in color, with more pale red fins. They also tend to be a bit fatter than males; even though these fish are generally ‘chunky’, this can be easily seen when comparing males and females. Males also have orangey stomachs and black bars on the anal fin, which are absent in females.
They prefer the middle of the tank and should be kept in schools of at least six.
Celestial pearl danios love to hide among rocks and plants in their natural habitat, so make sure tanks contain heavy vegetation.
Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)
Swordtail fish is a freshwater species that is popular among aquarium enthusiasts. They are known for being beautiful and low-maintenance, making them great choices for community tanks.
When fully grown, the average swordtail fish measures around 5.5 inches in length from nose to tail.
The swordtail fish is defined by the male’s caudal fin. The lower lobe is elongated, creating a sword-like protrusion that can be just as long as the rest of the body.
They prefer the middle to the top of the tank and should be kept in pairs or small groups.
This species of fish is known to be active and playful, often enjoying a swim across the tank. They typically stick to the middle and upper parts of the water column, so you won’t need to worry too much about the substrate material when it comes to your swordtail fish.
Cory Catfish
Cory Catfish, also called Cory Cats, Cory Fish and Corydoras Catfish.
If you’re looking for a fish that will bring some joy and companionship to your aquarium, you can’t go wrong with a Cory. These little guys are social creatures and do best when kept in schools. In the wild, they spend their time scavenging for food along the bottom of rivers and streams, so they’re perfectly content to hang out at the bottom of your tank.
Cory catfish size can range from about 1 inch to about 2.5 inches in length. They should be kept in a group of two or more. Cory Catfish tend to stick with their own kind. Their prefer to be in groups of six or more if your aquarium is large enough. Their schooling behavior is fascinating to watch as the fish move in unison around the tank like a precision dance ensemble.
Bottom-dwelling fish like Cory Catfish enjoy rooting through the substrate at least 2 inches deep. Cory Catfish also like tanks that have a lot of live plants because they provide cover and hiding places. When choosing rocks and decorations for the tank, be sure to include ones that the fish can explore.
Finally, there are ten different Corys to choose from!
In conclusion
Gouramis are a great addition to any community tank due to their peaceful nature and compatibility with a wide variety of other fish species. By choosing the right tank mates, you can create a beautiful and thriving community tank that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
When selecting tank mates for gouramis, it’s important to consider their temperament and tank size to ensure a harmonious and stress-free environment.