Can cardinal tetras live with kissing gouramis?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Cardinal tetras and kissing gouramis can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small cardinal tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Cardinal tetraCardinal tetra76–84°F · pH 4.6–7 Kissing gouramiKissing gourami72–82°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 76–82°Cardinal tetra 76–84°Kissing gourami 72–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6–7Cardinal tetra 4.6–7Kissing gourami 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Cardinal tetra · 2 inKissing gourami · 10 in0"2"4"6"8"10"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Cardinal tetraKissing gourami
Temperature76–84 °F72–82 °F
pH4.6–76–8
Adult size2.0 in10.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swims atMiddleMiddle
GroupGroups of 6+Alone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for cardinal tetras

All cardinal tetra tank mates

Better tank mates for kissing gouramis

All kissing gourami tank mates

Questions

Can cardinal tetras live with kissing gouramis?

Yes, with care. Cardinal tetras and kissing gouramis can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small cardinal tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

What temperature suits both cardinal tetras and kissing gouramis?

76–82 °F. Cardinal tetras need 76–84 °F, kissing gouramis need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do cardinal tetras and kissing gouramis need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the kissing gourami. Add space for each extra fish.