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Fish guides / Dwarf gourami
Centerpiece fish

Dwarf Gourami: Tank Size, Tank Mates and Setup

A colourful centerpiece fish for 10 gallons or larger. Keep one male per tank.

Minimum tank
10 gallons
Temperature
72–82°F
Group size
One per tank
Adult size
3 inTop of the tank
  • Breathes air at the surface, like a betta.
  • Prefers calm water with floating plants.

Trichogaster lalius. Figures are commonly published care ranges; see how it works.

How many dwarf gouramis per tank size

The most you could keep if dwarf gouramis were the only species. Open a size in the builder to add tank mates.

What you need for a dwarf gourami in a 10-gallon tank

A starting setup: 1 dwarf gourami in the smallest standard tank that suits them.

Your blueprint

10-gallon tank

1 dwarf gourami
Stocking level40% · Good
  • These fit a 10-gallon tank and get along. Aim for about 77°F.

Equipment, sized for this tank

Tank: 10 gallons
Standard size: 20 × 10 × 12 inches, about 111 lbs when full.
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Heater: 50 watts
Holds 10 gallons at 77°F in a 68°F room.
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Sponge filter with air pump: 40+ gallons per hour
Gentle flow for fish and shrimp that dislike strong current.
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Gravel or sand: 18 lbs
Enough for a 1.5-inch layer in this tank.
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LED light and lid: 20 inches long
A lid cuts evaporation and stops fish and snails getting out.
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Starter supplies

Water conditioner
Removes chlorine from tap water. Roughly 1 mL per full fill; follow your bottle's label.
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Liquid water test kit
For cycling the tank before fish go in, and for checking water after.
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Thermometer
A heater's dial is only a rough guide.
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Gravel vacuum
For weekly water changes of about 3 gallons (25%).
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Tropical flake food
For your dwarf gouramis.
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Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, TankStarter earns from qualifying purchases. Sizes are estimates from published care guidelines, not hands-on testing.

Dwarf gourami tank mates

These share a temperature range and temperament with dwarf gouramis, with no warnings from our checks.

Use caution with: betta, fancy goldfish, cherry shrimp, amano shrimp. Add them in the builder to see why.

Plan a tank around dwarf gouramis

Add tank mates, check the stocking level and get the equipment sized for your tank.

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Dwarf gourami questions

What size tank does a dwarf gourami need?

At least 10 gallons. A larger tank is more stable and gives you more choice of tank mates.

How many dwarf gouramis can I keep in a 10-gallon tank?

Up to about 1 if they are the only species in the tank. Male dwarf gouramis are territorial, so keep one per tank.

Do dwarf gouramis need a heater?

Usually yes. Dwarf gourami does best at 72–82°F, which is warmer than most rooms. A 10-gallon tank needs about 50 watts in a 68°F room.

What fish can live with dwarf gouramis?

Good matches include neon tetras, cardinal tetras, ember tetras, rummy-nose tetras, black skirt tetras, guppies. They share a temperature range and temperament with dwarf gouramis.