Dwarf Gouramis are popular freshwater fish that can be found in many pet stores. Tetras are also a common fish and are often kept in community tanks. But can these two fish species live together peacefully? Let’s take a closer look at their compatibility.
Are Dwarf Gouramis Compatible with Tetras?
No, it is best to keep these two species in separate tanks. While they are both peaceful, active fish that get along well with most other species, it is best to keep them in separate tanks. If you’re interested in keeping these two types of fish together, it is best to add tetras first because they will establish their territory before the gouramis move in.
Tetras
Tetras are small, colorful tropical fish that are usually found in schools. Tetras are considered to be the perfect beginner fish because they’re inexpensive and very easy to care for.
Tetras generally get along well with other species and can live in a community tank with peaceful fish that share similar water requirements. Tetras thrive when kept in groups of at least 8 or more, so keep that in mind when selecting tank mates.
Dwarf Gouramis
There are several different species of Dwarf Gourami, including the popular blue and orange varieties. Dwarf Gouramis can grow to be 3 inches (7.6 cm) and live for up to 4 years, but will only reach their full size when provided with a large tank and plenty of food.
Just like tetras, gouramis are considered to be a perfect beginner fish because they’re inexpensive and very easy to care for. Gouramis are peaceful fish that are generally safe to keep with other species in a community tank because they won’t nip at other fish.
Determining the Compatibility
It is important to remember that your fish will thrive when kept in an aquarium with similar water requirements. Tetras prefer softer, slightly acidic water (pH 6-7) while gouramis thrive in harder, more alkaline waters (pH 7.5-8).
Because of these incompatibilities, it is best to keep tetras and gouramis in separate tanks. If you decide to combine them, be sure that the tetras get a significantly larger tank because they will grow much faster than the gouramis.
Tetras should have at least 2-5 gallons of water per fish, while Dwarf Gouramis need 5-10 gallons per fish.
Two popular species of Tetra, the Glowlight and the Cardinal Tetras, are known to nip at gouramis’ long fins. If you’re interested in keeping these two types of fish together, it is best to add tetras first because they will establish their territory before the gouramis move in.
While both Tetras and Dwarf Gouramis are very peaceful, active fish that get along well with most other species, it is best to keep them in separate tanks.
You can find Dwarf Gouramis at pet stores or online. If you want to keep more than one tank, be sure each has a filtration system big enough to handle the entire tank’s capacity.
Last Thoughts
Fish are excellent pets for beginners or experienced aquarists because they don’t require much work and can be kept in community tanks that allow you to mix species with similar water requirements.
However, there are some incompatibilities between certain species of fish so it is important to keep your tetras in a different tank than your gouramis. Be sure to research any species before you buy it, and always combine fish carefully.