Can bettas live with kissing gouramis?
Verdict
No
No. Bettas and kissing gouramis should not share a tank. Bettas and kissing gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
What to watch
- Deal breakerBettas and kissing gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
- Watch outA grown kissing gourami may treat small bettas as food, especially at night.
- Watch outKissing gouramis are much bigger and pushier than bettas, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.
What works
- Both are fine at 76–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bettas the top, kissing gouramis the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Betta | Kissing gourami | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6–8 |
| Adult size | 2.5 in | 10.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 5 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Top | Middle |
| Group | One per tank | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for bettas
Better tank mates for kissing gouramis
All kissing gourami tank mates
Questions
Can bettas live with kissing gouramis?
No. Bettas and kissing gouramis should not share a tank. Bettas and kissing gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
What temperature suits both bettas and kissing gouramis?
76–82 °F. Bettas need 76–82 °F, kissing gouramis need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do bettas and kissing gouramis need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the kissing gourami. Add space for each extra fish.