Mark Terry
Dwarf gourami are a great choice for a community tank, but they do have a few quirks you should be aware of.
Firstly, they are territorial and will defend their space against other male dwarf gourami. They are also aggressive towards other gourami species, especially male gourami. Therefore, it is recommended to only keep one male dwarf gourami per tank and provide ample hiding places.
Secondly, dwarf gourami are labyrinth fish, meaning they have a special organ that allows them to breathe oxygen from the surface of the water. Consequently, they will frequently swim to the top of the tank, so they should not be kept with fish that school near the surface.
Thirdly, dwarf gourami are generally peaceful but can display semi-aggressive behaviour, especially during mealtimes. They are not fin nippers, but they will eat anything that fits in their mouths, including baby fish and shrimp.
With these considerations in mind, good tank mates for dwarf gourami include:
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Danios
- Corydoras catfish
- Loaches
- Plecos
- Mollies
- Swordtails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Dwarf gourami fish are small, growing up to 3-4.5 inches long. |
| Temperament | Dwarf gourami fish are generally peaceful, but can be territorial and aggressive towards other male gouramis. |
| Water temperature | 72-82°F (22-27°C) |
| Water hardness | 50-150 ppm |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Nitrite and ammonia | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate levels | Should be carefully monitored |
| Water flow | Gentle |
| Tank size | Minimum of 10 gallons for up to 3 fish, with an additional 5 gallons for each additional fish |
| Tank conditions | Warm water, slightly acidic, with thick plant growth |
| Tank mates | Small, peaceful community fish that are similar in size and temperament, and do not school near the top of the tank. |
| Tank mates to avoid | Large, aggressive fish, and other male gouramis. |
What You'll Learn
Dwarf gourami are territorial and aggressive towards other male gouramis
Dwarf gourami are generally peaceful and easygoing fish. However, they can become territorial and aggressive, especially when kept in small tanks with other male gouramis. This behaviour is more commonly observed in male gouramis, which can become aggressive towards each other, particularly if there are too many males and not enough females in the tank.
In groups with more than one male gourami, sparring and facing off is normal behaviour as they establish a pecking order. This behaviour can include head-twitching, fin-raising, circling, and ramming. While this aggression is usually directed at other male gouramis, it can stress out other fish in the tank.
To reduce aggression, it is recommended to provide a large tank with plenty of space and hiding places, such as plants and rocks, to establish territories. It is also important to ensure that all fish get enough food during feeding times, as hunger can trigger aggression.
Overall, while dwarf gourami can be territorial and aggressive towards other male gouramis, proper tank setup and management can help mitigate these behaviours.
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They are compatible with peaceful, similar-sized fish
Dwarf gouramis are known for their peaceful and timid nature. They are compatible with other peaceful, similar-sized fish. This includes fish such as:
- Corydoras catfish
- Harlequin rasboras
- Bristlenose pleco
- Cherry barbs
- Neon tetras
- Cardinal tetras
- Mollies
- Chili rasboras
- Zebra danios
- Otocinclus catfish
- Kuhli loaches
- Amano shrimp
- Ghost shrimp
- Guppies
- Ember tetras
- Jellybean tetras
- Green neon tetras
- Golden tetras
- Emperor tetras
- Glass catfish
- Rasboras
- Loaches
- Platies
- Plecostomus
- Tiger barbs
- Black skirt tetras
- Ghost fish
- Amano shrimp
- Neon tetra cardinal tetra
- Harlequin rasbora
- Glass catfish
- Zebra danios
- Corydoras
- Danios
- Celestial pearl danios
- Clown plecos
- White cloud mountain minnows
- Tetras
- Mollies
- Ghost catfish
- Platies
- Plecostomus
- Rasboras
- Loaches
- Platies
- Corydoras catfish
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Loaches
- Platies
- Corydoras
- Danios
- Rosy danios
- Sailfin mollies
- Common plecos
- Pineapple swordtails
- Tiger barbs
- Discus
- Upsidedown catfish
- Skunk Cory catfish
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They are not compatible with large, aggressive fish
Dwarf gourami are not compatible with large, aggressive fish. Dwarf gourami are calm and peaceful fish, but they can get aggressive with other males of the same species. They are territorial and will defend their space against other male dwarf gourami. They are also susceptible to attacks from other fish species that have bright colours and big, flashy fins, such as bettas.
Dwarf gourami are small fish, so they should not be kept with large fish that could terrorise or eat them. Examples of large, aggressive fish that should be avoided include Oscars, African cichlids, and arowanas.
It is important to research the adult size and aggression levels of any fish before adding them to a tank with dwarf gourami. Many fish sold in stores are juveniles and will grow much larger.
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They are labyrinth fish, meaning they breathe oxygen from the surface
Dwarf gourami are labyrinth fish, which means they have a special organ that allows them to breathe oxygen from the surface of the tank. This is similar to the function of human lungs. As labyrinth fish, they will often swim to the top or middle of the tank so they can easily reach the surface when they need to breathe.
Because of this, it is important to be mindful of the room temperature when keeping dwarf gourami. A significant difference between the temperature of the room and the tank water can cause health problems for these fish. As they swim to the surface to breathe, a large temperature difference could injure their labyrinth organ.
Dwarf gourami are susceptible to various diseases and conditions associated with poor water quality. For example, they are known to be affected by Dwarf Gourami Iridovirus, or Dwarf Gourami Disease, which is estimated to affect a minimum of 50% of dwarf gourami in the hobby. The disease is not curable and will eventually lead to the fish's death.
In addition to the risk of disease, poor water quality can also cause stress in dwarf gourami, which may lead to fast breathing. This can be avoided by ensuring the tank is the appropriate size, providing enough oxygen in the water, and maintaining the correct water conditions, including pH and hardness levels.
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They are not picky eaters
Dwarf gourami are not picky eaters. In their natural habitat, they eat small bugs and larvae that settle on the surface of the water, as well as bugs that settle on algae growth (and the algae itself). They are avid hunters and enjoy the sport of the chase.
In a tank environment, they can be fed fish and vegetation-based flakes or tablets, as well as live food. A diverse diet is best, and live food will add a thrill to their mealtimes. They will also eat plant life, so it's a good idea to introduce healthy aquatic greens for them to munch on.
Dwarf gourami are prone to certain diseases, so it's important to keep an eye on water quality. They can suffer from DGD, which is an infection unique to the species with no known cure.
Dwarf gourami are generally resilient and can put up with a wide range of water parameters. They can survive in pH levels of 6–8, temperatures from 72–82°F (22–28°C), and soft to hard water.
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Frequently asked questions
Dwarf gourami fish are territorial, particularly the males. In the wild, each male will stake out a little territory and then defend it against any other male that dares to come near. In an aquarium, male gouramis want to drive away all the other males, but since there's nowhere to go, they will just fight.
Dwarf gourami are kind of similar to betta fish in that it comes down to the individual fish's personality on whether or not it can live in a community tank. Some are pretty mellow and won't bother anyone, some only get aggressive during mealtimes, and others indiscriminately attack any creatures that cross into their territory. If your dwarf gourami has a calmer temperament, try keeping them with peaceful, similar-sized fish like corydoras catfish, tetras, rasboras, loaches, and platies.
Avoid keeping dwarf gourami with large and/or aggressive fish, such as Oscars, African cichlids or arowanas, which will terrorize and possibly eat your dwarf gourami. Also, avoid keeping them with other male gouramis, and with fish that have bright colours and big flashy fins, like Bettas.
Dwarf gourami need a minimum tank size of 10 gallons for up to three fish. If you have four or more, you'll need to add an additional five gallons for each new fish.
