Can chinese algae eaters live with dwarf gouramis?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Chinese algae eaters and dwarf gouramis can share a tank, but watch one thing. Chinese algae eaters are much bigger and pushier than dwarf gouramis, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.

Chinese algae eater74–80°F · pH 6–8

Dwarf gourami72–82°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

Watch outChinese algae eaters are much bigger and pushier than dwarf gouramis, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.
Watch outChinese algae eaters sometimes latch on to slow, flat fish like dwarf gouramis and rasp their slime coat.
Watch outChinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for dwarf gouramis.

What works

Both are fine at 74–80°F.
pH 6–7.5 suits both.
They use different parts of the tank: chinese algae eaters the bottom, dwarf gouramis the top.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Chinese algae eater	Dwarf gourami
Temperature	74–80 °F	72–82 °F
pH	6–8	6–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	3.0 in
Minimum tank	75 gal	10 gal
Temperament	Semi-aggressive	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Top
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore