Chocolate Gourami: Tank Size, Tank Mates and How Many to Keep

Chocolate gouramis are small brown fish with cream bars. They are slow and easily outcompeted for food, so they suit a quiet tank set up around their needs.

Adult size
2 in5 cm
Smallest tank
14 gallons54 liters
Comfortable in
15 gallonor bigger
How many
6 or more
Temperature
79–88 °F26–31 °C
pH
4–6.5
Temperament
Peaceful
Swims
In the middle
Heater needed
Yes

What size tank do chocolate gouramis need?

At least 14 gallons (54 liters) for a group of 6. The smallest standard tank that works is the 15 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. We give the size for an adult fish in a proper group, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Sphaerichthys osphromenoides.

How many chocolate gouramis in each tank size?

This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if chocolate gouramis are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.

TankHow many chocolate gouramis
5 gallonToo small
10 gallonToo small
20 gallon longup to 9
29 gallonup to 13
40 gallon breederup to 18
55 gallonup to 25
75 gallonup to 34
125 gallonup to 57

Check chocolate gouramis against your own tank and other fish

Good to know

  • Needs very warm, soft, acid water. Slow and easily pushed aside at feeding time.
  • Keep at least 6. Alone or in twos and threes, chocolate gouramis hide, stop eating well, or pick on each other.

Tank mates for chocolate gouramis

These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.

Poor matches

  • Guppy: These fish do not share a comfortable pH range. Choose fish from similar water.
  • Neon tetra: Their temperature ranges barely overlap: Chocolate gourami likes 79–88 °F (26–31 °C), Neon tetra likes 70–79 °F (21–26 °C).
  • Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
  • Oscar: Oscar is aggressive and will bully or kill peaceful fish such as chocolate gourami.

Questions and answers

What size tank do chocolate gouramis need?

At least 14 gallons (54 liters) for a group of 6. The smallest standard tank that works is the 15 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.

How many chocolate gouramis should be kept together?

At least 6. Chocolate gouramis are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.

Can chocolate gouramis live in a 10 gallon tank?

No. Chocolate gourami needs at least 14 gallons (54 liters).

What temperature do chocolate gouramis need?

79–88 °F (26–31 °C), with a pH of 4–6.5. In most homes that means a heater.

Can chocolate gouramis live with a betta?

Usually, yes, in a tank of 14 gallons (54 liters) or more. They like the same water: 79–82 °F (26–28 °C). Every betta has its own temper, so watch closely for the first week and have a spare tank ready.

More fish

Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.