TankStocking

Can Neon Tetra live with Dwarf Gourami?

No — not recommended for most keepers. As set up here, Neon Tetra and Dwarf Gourami should not share a tank. Here is why, and what to keep instead.

By the TankStocking team · methodology-driven, sourced from aquarium care references Data v2026.06 · last reviewed How we judge this →

The planner's verdict

Neon Tetra + Dwarf Gourami

✕ Not recommended

6× Neon Tetra, 1× Dwarf Gourami

The engine flags this pairing on welfare grounds — see why below, and what to keep instead.

Load this build in the planner ↑

Neon Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami: key facts

A neutral, side-by-side look at each species' sourced stats. These are figures only — the verdict above states whether they should share a tank.

Key facts side by side — Neon Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami (sourced stats only)
Key factNeon TetraDwarf Gourami
Adult size3 cm8.5 cm
Minimum tank10 US gal10 US gal
Minimum group6+ (shoal)1 male (or harem)
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Temperature range21–25°C25–28°C
pH range5–7.56–7.5
BioloadLowLow
Swim levelMidwaterTop / surface
Beginner-friendlyYesYes

Why, at a glance

Drawn straight from the sourced figures above, using the same thresholds the engine applies — these show the data behind the verdict, not a separate opinion.

Temperature range overlap — Neon Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami No shared temperature window: Dwarf Gourami needs ≥25°C while Neon Tetra stays ≤25°C — a 0°C gap. Neon Tetra: 21–25°C Dwarf Gourami: 25–28°C no overlap 14°C32°C
Temperature range overlap. No shared temperature window: Dwarf Gourami needs ≥25°C while Neon Tetra stays ≤25°C — a 0°C gap.
pH range overlap — Neon Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami Shared pH range: 6–7.5. Both prefer water within it. Neon Tetra: 5–7.5 Dwarf Gourami: 6–7.5 shared 58.5
pH range overlap. Shared pH range: 6–7.5. Both prefer water within it.
Adult size to scale — Neon Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami Dwarf Gourami (8.5 cm) is 2.8× the length of Neon Tetra (3 cm) — under the 3.5× size gap that flags predation risk. Neon Tetra: 3 cm Dwarf Gourami: 8.5 cm 10.5 cm = 3.5× line 0 cm
Adult size to scale. Dwarf Gourami (8.5 cm) is 2.8× the length of Neon Tetra (3 cm) — under the 3.5× size gap that flags predation risk.
Sources & confidence (2 species)

These back the Neon Tetra and Dwarf Gourami figures used for this verdict. Each figure is read from the TankStocking species database (v2026.06); below is the care reference behind it and how confident we are in that data. Confidence reflects the source quality, not whether any pairing is safe. Full source list and the welfare model are on the methodology page.

  • Neon Tetra Paracheirodon innesi — Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/paracheirodon-innesi) high confidence
  • Dwarf Gourami Trichogaster lalius — Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/trichogaster-lalius) high confidence

Why

  • Dwarf Gourami needs ≥25°C but Neon Tetra needs ≤25°C — no shared safe temperature.
Why this doesn't work: Dwarf Gourami needs ≥25°C but Neon Tetra needs ≤25°C — no shared safe temperature. Rather than force it, keep Neon Tetra with tankmates the engine clears — see the engine-cleared alternatives below.

Engine-cleared alternatives for Neon Tetra

Tankmates the engine clears with Neon Tetra — tap to load the pairing. "Engine-cleared" means they pass the welfare checks; still research each before committing.

Amano ShrimpAssassin SnailBlack Neon TetraBlack Phantom TetraBleeding Heart TetraCardinal TetraCelestial Pearl DanioChecker BarbCherry BarbCherry Shrimp

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      Verdict

      Common questions

      Can Neon Tetra live with Dwarf Gourami?

      No — not recommended for most keepers. As set up here, Neon Tetra and Dwarf Gourami should not share a tank. Here is why, and what to keep instead. TankStocking's engine reaches this by checking minimum tank size, group needs, temperature overlap, aggression, predation by size and fin-nipping for this exact pairing.

      What should I keep with Neon Tetra instead of Dwarf Gourami?

      Neon Tetra and Dwarf Gourami should not share a tank (dwarf gourami needs ≥25°c but neon tetra needs ≤25°c — no shared safe temperature). Instead, keep Neon Tetra with tankmates the engine clears, such as Amano Shrimp, Assassin Snail, Black Neon Tetra, Black Phantom Tetra. See the Neon Tetra tank mates guide for the full list.

      Related to Neon Tetra & Dwarf Gourami

      Related guides on TankStocking — each scored by the same welfare engine as the planner.

      Full tank-mate guides

      More compatibility guides

      How many fit a tank?

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      This is a planning estimate based on sourced species data — individual fish vary. See the methodology, the Neon Tetra tank mates guide, or the full fish list.