Fish comparison
Licorice Gourami vs German Blue Ram
How the Licorice Gourami and German Blue Ram compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Licorice Gourami vs German Blue Ram
The Licorice Gourami and the German Blue Ram 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 28 °C and pH 5 to 5.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The German Blue Ram 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 German Blue Ram 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
- Licorice Gourami22–28 °C
- German Blue Ram26–29 °C
pH
- Licorice Gourami3.5–5.5
- German Blue Ram5–7
Hardness
- Licorice Gourami0–3 dGH
- German Blue Ram1–8 dGH
What to plan for
- Demanding species presentLicorice Gourami, German Blue Ram are difficulty 4+. Stable parameters and weekly maintenance are non-negotiable.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishLicorice GouramiParosphromenus deissneri |  FishGerman Blue RamMikrogeophagus ramirezi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Bangka Island, Indonesia (peat swamps) | Orinoco basin, Venezuela & Colombia |
| Family | Osphronemidae | Cichlidae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 26–29 °C |
| pH | 3.5–5.5 | 5.0–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 0–3 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Very low | Low |
| Min tank | 30 L | 75 L (pair) |
| Adult size | 3–4 cm | 5–7 cm |
| Difficulty | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–4 yrs | 2–3 yrs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid to top | Mid to Bottom |
| Schooling | No (pairs) | Pair |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes | Risky with dwarf shrimp |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Licorice Gourami and German Blue Ram together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 26 to 28 °C and pH 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 Licorice Gourami or the German Blue Ram?
The German Blue Ram is the easier of the two, closer to demanding, while the Licorice Gourami leans expert-level.
Do Licorice Gourami and German Blue Ram need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 26 to 28 °C and pH 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 Licorice Gourami and the German Blue Ram?
Temperament is the big one. The Licorice Gourami is peaceful and the German Blue Ram is territorial when breeding, which changes who you can house them with.