Fish comparison
Dwarf Gourami vs Honey Gourami
How the Dwarf Gourami and Honey Gourami compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Dwarf Gourami vs Honey Gourami
The Dwarf Gourami and the Honey Gourami are close cousins, both in the Trichogaster group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Honey Gourami is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Dwarf Gourami rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Honey Gourami needs less room to feel settled; give the Dwarf Gourami the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
1 note
Temperature
- Dwarf Gourami22–28 °C
- Honey Gourami22–28 °C
pH
- Dwarf Gourami6–7.5
- Honey Gourami6–7.5
Hardness
- Dwarf Gourami4–15 dGH
- Honey Gourami4–15 dGH
What to plan for
- 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.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishDwarf GouramiTrichogaster lalius |  FishHoney GouramiTrichogaster chuna |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | India, Bangladesh, Pakistan | India, Bangladesh, Nepal |
| Family | Osphronemidae | Osphronemidae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 4–15 | 4–15 |
| Flow rate | Still to Low | Still to Low |
| Min tank | 75 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 6–8 cm | 4–5 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–5 yrs | 4–8 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid to Top | Mid to Top |
| Schooling | No (pair or single male) | Pair or trio |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) | Yes (adults) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Dwarf Gourami and Honey Gourami together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, 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 Dwarf Gourami or the Honey Gourami?
The Honey Gourami is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Dwarf Gourami leans beginner-friendly.
Do Dwarf Gourami and Honey Gourami need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Dwarf Gourami and the Honey Gourami?
Temperament is the big one. The Dwarf Gourami is territorial when breeding and the Honey Gourami is peaceful, which changes who you can house them with.