Fish comparison
Discus vs Licorice Gourami
How the Discus and Licorice Gourami compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Discus vs Licorice Gourami
The Discus and the Licorice 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 28 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 5.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Discus is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Licorice Gourami rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Licorice Gourami needs less room to feel settled; give the Discus the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Good fit
Workable as-is, only minor advisories to plan around.
2 warnings · 4 notes
Temperature
- Discus28–31 °C
- Licorice Gourami22–28 °C
pH
- Discus5.5–7
- Licorice Gourami3.5–5.5
Hardness
- Discus1–8 dGH
- Licorice Gourami0–3 dGH
What to plan for
- Tight temperature windowThe overlap is only 28–28 °C. Heater stability matters more than usual; consider an external controller.
- Narrow pH overlapTarget pH is 5.5–5.5. Test weekly; use buffered substrate or remineraliser to keep it stable.
- Discus schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 discus. Discus need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Demanding species presentDiscus, Licorice 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 |  FishDiscusSymphysodon aequifasciatus |  FishLicorice GouramiParosphromenus deissneri |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Amazon basin | Bangka Island, Indonesia (peat swamps) |
| Family | Cichlidae | Osphronemidae |
| Temperature | 28–31 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 3.5–5.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–8 | 0–3 |
| Flow rate | Low | Very low |
| Min tank | 300 L | 30 L |
| Adult size | 15–20 cm | 3–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 10–15 yrs | 3–4 yrs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid to top |
| Schooling | Yes | No (pairs) |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Adults only | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Discus and Licorice Gourami together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 28 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 5.5, 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 Discus or the Licorice Gourami?
The Discus is the easier of the two, closer to demanding, while the Licorice Gourami leans expert-level.
Do Discus and Licorice Gourami need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 28 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 5.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Discus and the Licorice Gourami?
Space. The Discus wants about 300 litres minimum and the Licorice Gourami around 30, so tank size can settle it.