Do you want to purchase a few Tiger Barbs and keep them with your precious Dwarf Gouramis? But, you’re not sure if they’ll get along. Well, you’re in luck! This article will explore the compatibility of Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gouramis.
You can technically keep Tiger Barbs with Dwarf Gouramis in the same tank if you have a large enough tank. However, it’s not recommended to keep them in a community tank with Dwarf Gouramis. Tiger Barbs are known as fin-nippers and that makes the Dwarf Gouramis a huge target.
In this article, we will explore the compatibility of Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gouramis in further detail, including what to look for if you are considering keeping these two fish together in the same tank.
Do Barbs And Gouramis Get Along?
Actually, Barbs and Gouramis are not a good combination. If you keep both of these two types of fishes together in the same tank, they’ll most likely get on each other’s throats at some point.
And when that happens, the Tiger Barbs will most likely rip the Dwarf Gouramis fins to shreds.
In the worst-case scenario, the Barbs will start fighting with each other after they are done with the Gouramis.
If you keep a small school of Barbs together, they’ll most likely get territorial and aggressive, and so you should keep a large selection of Barbs inside the tank.
I kept 4 Barbs together in a community tank, and they were fairly polite.
5 Tips To Keep Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gouramis Together:
Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gourami Are Not a Good Match. But you can still keep them together.
Although it might not be ideal in most cases, you can still keep Tiger Barbs with some Dwarf Gouramis without facing any issues if you follow the tips below:
1. Monitor Their Behavior:
As you can see in the above video, usually, Tiger Barbs are known for being pretty docile, and the same goes for the Dwarf Gouramis.
But sometimes, barbs can get a little aggressive towards the dwarf gourami and start nipping its fins.
So, if you introduce them in a single tank, monitor their behavior and make sure they are getting along.
In most cases, you really don’t have to worry about either of these fish bothering each other.
2. Make sure The Tank is Large Enough:
Since both fish are relatively small, you might think that you can keep them in a small tank. However, if either of them feels like they are not getting enough space, they might start to get aggressive towards each other.
You will need an aquarium size that is at least 20 gallons or bigger. This will give both fish enough space to swim around and not feel cramped.
I have heard from many aquarists that dwarf gourami can become territorial. So, if you keep dwarf gouramis with tiger barbs, it’s safe to keep them in a large enough tank.
In a small tank, dwarf gourami can become territorial and get aggressive, although they are very peaceful fish.
3. Make Sure The Water Temperature Is Compatible for Both
The water temperature for Tiger Barbs should be around 74-79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water temperature for Dwarf Gouramis should be around 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, as long as you have a tank that is big enough and has the correct water temperature (74F to 78F) that is compatible with both of them, you are good to go.
However, if there is a temperature compatibility issue then they can get stressed and aggressive as well.
4. Ensure There Is Enough Food For Both Fish.
Since both fish are omnivores, they will both be happy with a diet that consists of both meat and plant-based foods. This means that you do not have to worry about one fish monopolizing the food supply.
Providing enough food will keep them healthy and happy, they won’t get stressed.
5. The Tank Has A Good Filter.
A good filter is important for any tank, but it is especially important when you have multiple fish. Since both the Tiger Barbs and the Dwarf Gourami can be a bit messy, you need a filter that can handle a lot of filth.
If your filter is not suitable for your tank, then your aquarium will have poor water conditions, making your fish become stressed.
Should You Keep Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gouramis Together?
So, as you can see, theoretically, it is possible to keep Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gouramis living together. Also, many aquarists kept dwarf gouramis and tiger barbs together.
But do you want to take the risk? Tiger barbs are famous for fin nipping, and dwarf gouramis can become territorial in some cases.
So, even if they are compatible with each other, I don’t think you should keep them together.
There are a lot of ideal tank mates for tiger barbs and gouramis, it’s safer to try those. What do you think?
What Fish Can Live With Tiger Barbs?
Out of all the possible tank mates for your Tiger Barbs, the Clown Loach is by far the best option, provided that you have enough space to spare in your tank.
This fish actually schools with the Tiger Barbs and even acts like them. So, compatibility will not be a problem in this case.
Alternatively, if you want to look at other options, you can pair your Tiger Barbs with other fast-moving fishes such as Platys, Danios, Catfish, or Loach.
In short, any fish that is compatible with a shoal of Tiger Barbs should be okay to keep with them.
Here is the list of ideal tank mates for TIger Barbs:
- Plecos
- Neon Tetra
- Clown Loach
- Cory Catfish
- Cherry Barb
- Rosy Barb
What Can Dwarf Gouramis Live With?
Dwarf Gouramis can live with most other types of fish, but they are usually shy and should not be kept with aggressive fish. They can live with peaceful fish like Tetras, Rasboras, zebra danio.
Alternatively, if you want to add some color to your aquarium, you can also try keeping Dwarf Gouramis with brightly-colored fish like Guppies, Mollies, and Platys.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Dwarf Gouramis do best in a planted aquarium with plenty of hiding places.
If you do not have a planted aquarium, you can add some artificial plants to your tank to make your Dwarf Gouramis feel more at home.
What’s The Most Peaceful Gourami?
According to many experts, the most peaceful gourami is none other than the honey gourami. It’s also called the Red Flame Gourami or Sunset.
This fish is found in Southeast Asia and typically grows to be about 3 inches long. It is a very docile fish that typically does well in community tanks.
It’s good-natured and tends to stay away from conflict, making it a great choice for those who are new to keeping fish. It gets along well with other peaceful fish, such as guppies, tetras, and danios.
Related Questions:
Will Tiger Barbs Eat Small Fish?
No, Tiger Barb fish cannot live without an air pump. They are mid-level fish who need moderate amounts of current in order to breathe properly.
Otherwise, they will get stressed out and can die from a lack of oxygen in the water.
So, if you don’t have an air pump, you should not get Tiger Barb fish.
Can Dwarf Gouramis Live With Bettas?
No, dwarf gouramis cannot live with bettas because bettas are aggressive fish and will attack and likely kill the dwarf gouramis.
Additionally, the two fish have different water requirements and dietary needs, so they cannot be kept in the same tank.
Final Thoughts:
In this article, we took a closer look at the comparability of Tiger Barbs and Dwarf Gouramis.
And it turns out the answer is not binary, and it’s a bit complicated. And so, it really depends on the individual fish’s personalities and how well they get along with each other.
Tiger barbs and dwarf gouramis can coexist in a single tank. But I won’t say that they are ideal tank mates as there is always a certain level of risk you have to take if you keep them together.
