Can cherry barbs live with kissing gouramis?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Cherry barbs and kissing gouramis can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small cherry barb. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Cherry barbCherry barb73–81°F · pH 6–7.5 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: 73–81°Cherry barb 73–81°Kissing gourami 72–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6–7.5Cherry barb 6–7.5Kissing gourami 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Cherry barb · 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

Cherry barbKissing gourami
Temperature73–81 °F72–82 °F
pH6–7.56–8
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 cherry barbs

All cherry barb tank mates

Better tank mates for kissing gouramis

All kissing gourami tank mates

Questions

Can cherry barbs live with kissing gouramis?

Yes, with care. Cherry barbs and kissing gouramis can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small cherry barb. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

What temperature suits both cherry barbs and kissing gouramis?

73–81 °F. Cherry barbs need 73–81 °F, kissing gouramis need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do cherry barbs and kissing gouramis need together?

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