Dwarf gouramis with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

The dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is a colorful labyrinth fish from slow, weedy waters in Pakistan, northern India and Bangladesh (Seriously Fish). It grows to about 3 in (Aquarium Co-Op), larger than the honey gourami and far larger than the sparkling gourami. Common forms include powder blue, flame, neon and sunset. Like its relative the betta, its personality varies a lot from fish to fish, which makes it one of the less predictable choices for a shrimp tank.

Dwarf gourami at a glance

Will a dwarf gourami eat shrimp?

• Cherry shrimp adults: sometimes. Aquarium Co-Op names cherry shrimp among the things dwarf gouramis snack on, and warns against them in its cherry shrimp tank mates guide. Seriously Fish says cherry shrimp can work in a planted tank. The difference likely comes down to the individual fish and how much cover there is (our reading).
• Shrimplets: yes. A baby shrimp is an easy meal for a 3-inch fish that hunts small invertebrates in the wild (Seriously Fish). Don't expect a cherry colony to grow quickly.
• Amano shrimp: better odds. At 1.5–2 in, adult Amanos are too big for most dwarf gouramis to swallow (our inference from the sizes). See Amano shrimp care.
• Bigger gouramis: Practical Fishkeeping lists large gouramis among fish that don't belong with shrimp, and The Shrimp Farm says to steer clear of most gouramis except tiny ones like the sparkling gourami.

The larger pearl gourami is calmer with fish but riskier for shrimp; see pearl gouramis with shrimp.

Matching the water

Dwarf gouramis need tropical water: 72–82 °F (Aquarium Co-Op) or 72–81 °F (Seriously Fish). Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison, a heated tank at about 74–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 4–8 fits both. Shrimp breed faster in warm water but also live shorter lives, so avoid running it hotter than the fish needs. See shrimp water parameters.

Tank size and setup

• Size: at least 10 gallons (Aquarium Co-Op); 20 gallons or more gives shrimp more room to stay out of the way (our suggestion).
• Dense plants and moss: Seriously Fish recommends a heavily planted tank with floating plants and shade, which calms the gourami. Moss, fine-leaved plants and leaf litter give shrimp places to hide. See best plants for a shrimp tank.
• Gentle flow: both sources say dwarf gouramis dislike strong current. A sponge filter suits both species; see shrimp-safe filters.
• Lid and air gap: labyrinth fish breathe air from the surface, so leave a gap under the lid (our note; Seriously Fish describes the labyrinth organ).

Feeding both

Aquarium Co-Op says dwarf gouramis feed at all levels, take both floating and sinking foods, and may chase others away to get the most. It suggests a varied diet of flakes, floating pellets, community pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed the gourami at the surface first, then drop shrimp food in a planted corner so the shrimp get a share (our suggestion). A well-fed fish is less likely to go hunting, though there are no guarantees. See best shrimp food.

Disease risk: quarantine matters

Seriously Fish says stock quality has fallen and that mass breeding may have spread dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV), which appears very infectious, has so far proved untreatable, and can pass to other fish species in the same water. A 2006 Australian study it cites found up to 22% of dwarf gouramis from Singapore carrying it. Aquarium Co-Op says it has rarely seen the disease in its own stock but does see genetic deformities from overbreeding. Seriously Fish suggests avoiding tanks with lethargic or darkened fish and considering a local breeder. Shrimp are not fish, but medicating a fish in a shrimp tank is its own problem.

• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

How to try a dwarf gourami with shrimp

• Shrimp first. Let the colony build up and the plants fill in before adding the fish (Practical Fishkeeping).
• Choose one calm fish. Aquarium Co-Op suggests a female powder blue dwarf gourami, which is often more peaceful than males; females are rarely sold, so ask.
• Prefer Amanos if you're adding shrimp to a gourami tank, or keep a backup cherry colony elsewhere.
• Watch for a couple of weeks. If the gourami starts picking off adult shrimp, rehome one or the other.

Common mistakes

• Keeping two or more males in a small tank (Aquarium Co-Op, Seriously Fish).
• Adding the gourami to a bare tank with a young cherry colony.
• Skipping quarantine on a species known for disease problems.
• Housing it with bettas or other labyrinth fish, which can trigger aggression (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op).
• Expecting shrimp numbers to grow as they would in a shrimp-only tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will a dwarf gourami eat cherry shrimp?

It may. Aquarium Co-Op says dwarf gouramis snack on anything that fits in their mouths, including cherry shrimp, while Seriously Fish says cherry shrimp can work in a planted tank. Shrimplets are almost certain to be eaten.

Can dwarf gouramis live with Amano shrimp?

Amanos have better odds because adults are larger than cherry shrimp. Use a planted tank and watch the gourami closely.

What size tank does a dwarf gourami need with shrimp?

Aquarium Co-Op says 10 gallons or more with plants and slow flow. A larger, densely planted tank gives shrimp more places to hide.

What temperature suits dwarf gouramis and cherry shrimp?

About 74 to 78 °F. Dwarf gouramis need 72 to 82 °F (Aquarium Co-Op), and cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65 to 85 °F (The Shrimp Farm).

Are honey gouramis safer with shrimp than dwarf gouramis?

Generally yes. Honey gouramis stay smaller and calmer, and sparkling gouramis are smaller still. See our honey and sparkling gourami guides.

What is dwarf gourami iridovirus?

A viral disease (DGIV) that Seriously Fish says is very infectious, untreatable so far, and can spread to other fish. Buy healthy-looking fish and quarantine them before adding them to any tank.

Sources: Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for dwarf gouramis (Trichogaster lalius up to 3 in; labyrinth fish; powder blue and flame forms; 2–4 years; DGIV rarely seen in its stock, deformities from overbreeding; 10+ gallons, slow flow, live plants; pH 6–8, 72–82 °F, soft to hard water; store fish mostly male and territorial, keep one; personality varies; female powder blue more peaceful; will snack on anything that fits in its mouth, like cherry shrimp and baby fish; feeds at all levels, may hog food; varied diet); Seriously Fish, Trichogaster lalius (dwarf gourami) (Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh; sluggish, heavily vegetated waters; 24 × 12 × 12 in for a pair; minimal flow, heavily planted, floating plants; 72–81 °F, pH 6.0–7.5, 2–18 dGH; omnivore taking small invertebrates; shy and territorial, primary inhabitant in a small tank; other anabantoids can trigger aggression; cherry shrimp can work in a planted tank; never two males; DGIV very infectious, untreatable, transmissible to other species, 22% of Singapore fish in a 2006 Australian study; avoid lethargic or darkened fish); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (be wary of betta fish, dwarf cichlids, dwarf gouramis and pea puffers with cherry shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (steer clear of most gouramis except tiny species such as the sparkling gourami); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (large gouramis don't belong with shrimp; build the colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zone and the Amano size comparison are our own.