Fish comparison
Cardinal Tetra vs Chocolate Gourami
How the Cardinal Tetra and Chocolate Gourami compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Cardinal Tetra vs Chocolate Gourami
The Cardinal Tetra and the Chocolate Gourami come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 26 to 27 °C and pH 4.5 to 6.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Cardinal Tetra is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Chocolate Gourami rewards a bit more attention. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
5 notes
Temperature
- Cardinal Tetra23–27 °C
- Chocolate Gourami26–30 °C
pH
- Cardinal Tetra4.5–6.5
- Chocolate Gourami4–6.5
Hardness
- Cardinal Tetra1–6 dGH
- Chocolate Gourami0–5 dGH
What to plan for
- Cardinal Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 cardinal tetra. Cardinal Tetra need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Chocolate Gourami schools, stock at least 4You've planned for 1 chocolate gourami. Chocolate Gourami need a group of at least 4 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Demanding species presentChocolate Gourami are difficulty 4+. Stable parameters and weekly maintenance are non-negotiable.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 67% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishCardinal TetraParacheirodon axelrodi |  FishChocolate GouramiSphaerichthys osphromenoides |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Upper Orinoco and Rio Negro basins | Borneo, Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia |
| Family | Characidae | Osphronemidae |
| Temperature | 23–27 °C | 26–30 °C |
| pH | 4.5–6.5 | 4.0–6.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–6 | 0–5 |
| Flow rate | Low | Very low |
| Min tank | 75 L | 75 L |
| Adult size | 4–5 cm | 5–6 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 4–6 yrs | 3–5 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid to top |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) | Yes (with adults) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Cardinal Tetra and Chocolate Gourami together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 26 to 27 °C and pH 4.5 to 6.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Cardinal Tetra or the Chocolate Gourami?
The Cardinal Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to middle-of-the-road, while the Chocolate Gourami leans demanding.
Do Cardinal Tetra and Chocolate Gourami need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 26 to 27 °C and pH 4.5 to 6.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Cardinal Tetra and the Chocolate Gourami?
It comes down to look, size and pace rather than one being flatly better. The table above lays the numbers out row by row.