Fish comparison
Cardinal Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami
How the Cardinal Tetra and Dwarf Gourami compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Cardinal Tetra vs Dwarf Gourami
The Cardinal Tetra and the Dwarf 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 23 to 27 °C and pH 6 to 6.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Dwarf Gourami is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Cardinal Tetra rewards a bit more attention. For a calm community the gentler Cardinal Tetra slots in more easily.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
3 notes
Temperature
- Cardinal Tetra23–27 °C
- Dwarf Gourami22–28 °C
pH
- Cardinal Tetra4.5–6.5
- Dwarf Gourami6–7.5
Hardness
- Cardinal Tetra1–6 dGH
- Dwarf Gourami4–15 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.
- 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 |  FishDwarf GouramiTrichogaster lalius |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Upper Orinoco and Rio Negro basins | India, Bangladesh, Pakistan |
| Family | Characidae | Osphronemidae |
| Temperature | 23–27 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 4.5–6.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–6 | 4–15 |
| Flow rate | Low | Still to Low |
| Min tank | 75 L | 75 L |
| Adult size | 4–5 cm | 6–8 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 4–6 yrs | 3–5 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid to Top |
| Schooling | Yes | No (pair or single male) |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) |
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 Dwarf Gourami together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 27 °C and pH 6 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 Dwarf Gourami?
The Dwarf Gourami is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Cardinal Tetra leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Cardinal Tetra and Dwarf Gourami need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 27 °C and pH 6 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 Dwarf Gourami?
Temperament is the big one. The Cardinal Tetra is peaceful and the Dwarf Gourami is territorial when breeding, which changes who you can house them with.