Tank mates
Licorice Gourami tank mates
Parosphromenus deissneri
The best tank mates for the Licorice Gourami, matched on temperature, pH and temperament, with the reason each species fits.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Licorice Gourami tank mates
The Licorice Gourami is an easy-going community fish that settles best around 22 to 28 °C and pH 3.5 to 5.5. Good tank mates are species happy in that same water that won't nip it or get eaten. From the catalogue that comes to 26 fish, 42 plants, 0 shrimp and 11 mosses, each listed below with why it works. Match those numbers, keep group sizes sensible, and you've got a peaceful tank.
Compatible fish
Showing 15 of 26- Black Neon TetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Phantom TetraHyphessobrycon megalopterusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Glowlight TetraHemigrammus erythrozonusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Harlequin RasboraTrigonostigma heteromorphaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Lemon TetraHyphessobrycon pulchripinnisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bleeding Heart TetraHyphessobrycon erythrostigmaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Ember TetraHyphessobrycon amandaeTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Kuhli LoachPangio kuhliiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Lambchop RasboraTrigonostigma espeiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Neon TetraParacheirodon innesiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Pearl GouramiTrichopodus leeriiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Serpae TetraHyphessobrycon equesTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Agassiz's Dwarf CichlidApistogramma agassiziiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Cardinal TetraParacheirodon axelrodiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Chili RasboraBoraras brigittaeTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
Compatible plants
Showing 12 of 42- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Asian AmbuliaLimnophila sessilifloraTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Java FernMicrosorum pteropusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Java Fern 'Trident'Microsorum pteropus 'Trident'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Java Fern 'Windelov'Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Lindernia RotundifoliaLindernia rotundifoliaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Ludwigia PalustrisLudwigia palustrisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Narrow Leaf Java FernMicrosorum pteropus 'Narrow Leaf'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- StargrassHeteranthera zosterifoliaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- SüßwassertangLomariopsis lineataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Echinodorus 'Red Flame'Echinodorus 'Red Flame'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
Compatible mosses
Showing 8 of 11- Java MossTaxiphyllum barbieriTemp ✓pH ✓
- Christmas MossVesicularia montagneiTemp ✓pH ✓
- Round PelliaMonosolenium tenerumTemp ✓pH ✓
- Singapore MossVesicularia dubyanaTemp ✓pH ✓
- Spiky MossTaxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'Temp ✓pH ✓
- Stringy MossLeptodictyum ripariumTemp ✓pH ✓
- Süßwassertang / Mini PelliaLomariopsis lineataTemp ✓pH ✓
- Flame MossTaxiphyllum 'Flame'Temp ✓pH ✓
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
What can live with Licorice Gourami?
Peaceful species that share its water. Good picks from the catalogue include Black Neon Tetra, Black Phantom Tetra and Glowlight Tetra, plus compatible plants, shrimp and mosses. The full list with reasons is above.
How many Licorice Gourami should you keep together?
You can keep the Licorice Gourami on its own or in a small group. Around 2 is a sensible starting point where the species does well together.
Are Licorice Gourami shrimp-safe?
Yes. The Licorice Gourami is safe with dwarf shrimp, including babies, so it works in a shrimp tank.
Do Licorice Gourami eat plants?
No. The Licorice Gourami is plant-safe, so it won't tear up a planted tank. That's why so many plants show up in the list above.