Can bichirs live with sparkling gouramis?
Verdict
No
No. Bichirs and sparkling gouramis should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches sparkling gouramis do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches sparkling gouramis do.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for sparkling gouramis.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bichirs the bottom, sparkling gouramis the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Bichir | Sparkling gourami | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 1.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 5 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Top |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 4+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for bichirs
Better tank mates for sparkling gouramis
All sparkling gourami tank mates
Questions
Can bichirs live with sparkling gouramis?
No. Bichirs and sparkling gouramis should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches sparkling gouramis do.
What temperature suits both bichirs and sparkling gouramis?
72–82 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, sparkling gouramis need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do bichirs and sparkling gouramis need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.