If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how we keep the site running. How we choose.
Contents
Overview
The dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius, formerly Colisa lalia) is a small labyrinth fish of about 2-2.5 in (5-6 cm) from slow rivers, ponds and heavily vegetated rice paddies in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Males show diagonal red and turquoise bars, and the trade is full of selected forms such as flame and powder blue; females are silvery and plainer.
Like the betta, it gulps air at the surface and uses its thread-like pelvic fins as feelers to explore. It is calm, curious and very showy in a planted tank. Its weak spot is health: many mass-bred fish carry dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV), so buy from a store you trust and watch the fish closely before bringing it home.
Care and tank setup
One male, or a male with two or three females, does well in about 15-20 gallons (60-75 L) of heated, densely planted water. Dwarf gouramis prefer still water: use a filter with gentle output and cover part of the surface with floating plants to soften the light.
- Tall plants and hiding spots for females.
- A tight lid: warm air above the water protects the labyrinth organ.
- Stable, clean water; they are sensitive to sudden swings.
Keep only one male per tank unless it is large, since males chase each other constantly. Good tankmates are peaceful fish of similar size such as rasboras, small tetras, corydoras and otos. Avoid tiger barbs or other fin nippers that target the pelvic fins, and do not mix with bettas or other territorial gouramis. Adult shrimp are usually safe, though shrimplets may be eaten.
Feeding
Dwarf gouramis are omnivores. Use a quality flake or micro-pellet as the staple and add frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia) plus some spirulina-based food. They feed at the surface and in midwater; offer small portions once or twice a day, and make sure food reaches them if they share the tank with fast eaters.
Breeding
The male builds a bubble nest woven with plant bits among floating plants, courts the female with intense colors and then guards the eggs and larvae himself. Remove the female after spawning, as the male will chase her. Breeding is doable in a separate tank with shallow, warm water, but the fry are tiny and need infusoria for the first days.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Dwarf gourami. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Dwarf gourami, and why.
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Dwarf gourami healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Dwarf gourami need?
At least about 60 liters. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Dwarf gourami need?
Between 24 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Dwarf gourami?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Cherry barb, Tiger barb, Bronze cory and Platy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Dwarf gourami be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
