Can pearl gouramis live with chinese algae eaters?

Verdict

Yes, with care

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

Pearl gourami77–82°F · pH 6–7.5

Chinese algae eater74–80°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

Watch outChinese algae eaters are much bigger and pushier than pearl gouramis, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.
Watch outChinese algae eaters sometimes latch on to slow, flat fish like pearl gouramis and rasp their slime coat.

What works

Both are fine at 77–80°F.
pH 6–7.5 suits both.
They use different parts of the tank: pearl gouramis the top, chinese algae eaters the bottom.

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

	Pearl gourami	Chinese algae eater
Temperature	77–82 °F	74–80 °F
pH	6–7.5	6–8
Adult size	5.0 in	10.0 in
Minimum tank	30 gal	75 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	Top	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Omnivore	Herbivore