Can bichirs live with pearl gouramis?
Verdict
No
No. Bichirs and pearl gouramis should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches pearl gouramis do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches pearl gouramis do.
- Watch outBichirs are much bigger and pushier than pearl gouramis, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.
What works
- Both are fine at 77–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bichirs the bottom, pearl gouramis the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Bichir | Pearl gourami | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 77–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 5.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Top |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for bichirs
Better tank mates for pearl gouramis
Questions
Can bichirs live with pearl gouramis?
No. Bichirs and pearl gouramis should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches pearl gouramis do.
What temperature suits both bichirs and pearl gouramis?
77–82 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, pearl gouramis need 77–82 °F.
What size tank do bichirs and pearl gouramis need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.