Pearl gouramis with shrimp

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

The pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is a labyrinth fish from lowland swamps in Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra, named for the white "pearl" spots on its body (Seriously Fish). Seriously Fish calls it one of the most peaceful gouramis and an excellent community fish, and Aquarium Co-Op includes it in its top five peaceful gouramis. The catch for shrimp keepers is size: at up to about 5 in (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op) it is far bigger than the dwarf gourami, the honey gourami or the sparkling gourami.

Pearl gourami at a glance

Will a pearl gourami eat shrimp?

• Cherry shrimp adults: often, over time. None of our sources describe pearl gouramis as shrimp hunters, but The Shrimp Farm notes that labyrinth fish eat bugs "for breakfast, lunch, and dinner", and an adult cherry shrimp is well within a 5-inch fish's mouth size (our inference). Some owners report coexistence in dense tanks, but we would not risk a colony you care about.
• Shrimplets: yes. Baby shrimp are bite-sized live food for any gourami. A cherry colony is unlikely to grow in a pearl gourami tank.
• Amano shrimp: better odds. Adults reach about 1.5–2 in, which makes them harder to swallow, and they hide well among plants (our inference from the sizes). See Amano shrimp care.
• Ghost shrimp: often sold as cheap feeders and sometimes used as a test; we don't recommend relying on that. See ghost shrimp care.

Matching the water

Pearl gouramis need warm water, 75–86 °F (Seriously Fish) or 77–81 °F (Aquariadise). 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 76–80 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 4–8 fits both. That is the warm end for shrimp, which breed faster but live shorter lives in warm water, so don't run it hotter than the fish needs. See shrimp water parameters and shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Aquarium Co-Op suggests 29 gallons for a single pearl gourami, and Aquariadise says at least 30 gallons. With shrimp in the mix, more space and more cover help (our suggestion).
• Floating plants: Seriously Fish recommends a planted tank with floating vegetation and open swimming space. Aquariadise suggests floating plants such as Amazon frogbit and water sprite for subdued light. The fish stays near the surface, so a thick carpet of moss and low plants gives shrimp their own zone. See best plants for a shrimp tank.
• Gentle flow: a sponge filter or a sponge on the intake protects shrimp and suits a slow-water gourami. See shrimp-safe filters.
• Lid and air gap: as labyrinth fish, gouramis breathe air at the surface, so leave a gap under the lid (our note). See do shrimp need a lid.

Feeding both

Seriously Fish calls the pearl gourami unfussy, and Aquarium Co-Op says it readily eats freeze-dried foods, small bites and floating pellets. Aquariadise suggests supplementing dry food with frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed the gourami at the surface first, then drop sinking shrimp food in a planted corner so the shrimp get a share (our suggestion). A well-fed fish is less likely to forage for shrimp, but it is no guarantee. See best shrimp food.

Disease risk and quarantine

Seriously Fish says most pearl gouramis on sale are mass-produced in the Far East and Eastern Europe, so buy fish that look alert and fully colored and quarantine them first.

• 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.

Better gourami choices if shrimp come first

• The sparkling gourami is the one gourami The Shrimp Farm names as an exception for shrimp tanks.
• The honey gourami is smaller and usually calmer than a pearl.
• Peaceful nano fish such as the chili rasbora or celestial pearl danio are far lower risk.

How to try a pearl gourami with shrimp

• Go big and dense. 30 gallons or more, heavily planted, with moss and floating plants.
• Use adult Amanos rather than a breeding cherry colony, or keep a backup colony elsewhere.
• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests building up the shrimp before adding fish, so they know the hiding places.
• One male at most. Seriously Fish says males are territorial with each other and can be hard on females.
• Watch for a few weeks and rehome the fish if shrimp numbers drop.

Common mistakes

• Judging the fish by its peaceful reputation and forgetting its 5-inch size.
• Adding a pearl gourami to a small tank with a young cherry colony.
• Keeping it with aggressive or very boisterous fish, which Seriously Fish says makes it withdrawn.
• Skipping quarantine.
• Expecting baby shrimp to survive.

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 pearl gourami eat cherry shrimp?

It can. Pearl gouramis grow to about 5 inches, big enough to swallow a cherry shrimp, and The Shrimp Farm advises avoiding most gouramis in shrimp tanks. Baby shrimp will almost certainly be eaten.

Can pearl gouramis live with Amano shrimp?

Adult Amano shrimp have better odds because they are larger than cherry shrimp. Use a large, heavily planted tank and watch the fish closely.

Are pearl gouramis aggressive?

Seriously Fish calls them one of the most peaceful gouramis, but males are territorial with each other, and Aquariadise says individuals vary.

What size tank does a pearl gourami need?

Aquarium Co-Op suggests 29 gallons for one fish and 55 to 75 gallons for a group. Aquariadise recommends at least 30 gallons.

What temperature suits pearl gouramis and shrimp?

About 76 to 80 °F. Pearl gouramis need 75 to 86 °F (Seriously Fish), and cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65 to 85 °F (The Shrimp Farm).

Which gourami is safest with shrimp?

The sparkling gourami, which The Shrimp Farm names as an exception. Honey gouramis are a middle ground. Pearl and dwarf gouramis are riskier.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Trichopodus leerii (pearl gourami) (Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra lowland swamps; one of the most peaceful gouramis, excellent community fish; males territorial and hard on females; avoid aggressive or vigorous tankmates; max about 5 in SL; 36 × 12 in, about 21 gallons; 75–86 °F, pH 5.5–8.0, 2–30 dH; planted tank with floating plants and open swimming areas; unfussy diet; 8+ years; most stock mass-produced; eats hydra); Aquarium Co-Op, Top 5 peaceful gouramis (up to 5 in; one in a 29-gallon or a group in 55–75 gallons; omnivore taking freeze-dried foods, small bites and floating pellets); Aquariadise, Pearl gourami care (usually up to 4.5 in, males to 5 in; at least 30 gallons; 77–81 °F; prefers pH 5.5–7; floating plants; individuals vary from peaceful to semi-aggressive; dry foods plus frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (labyrinth fish eat bugs; steer clear of most gouramis except 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); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (small meat-eating fish go after shrimp; be wary of bettas and dwarf gouramis); 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 size comparisons are our own.