Can Arrowhead Puffer and Licorice Gourami Live Together?

Arrowhead Puffer is a highly aggressive species (10/10), while Licorice Gourami is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Arrowhead Puffer may occasionally assert dominance over Licorice Gourami.

Large aggression gap (8 points) between Arrowhead Puffer and Licorice Gourami increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Arrowhead Puffer and Licorice Gourami both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Aggressive fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species. Shrimp eaters may also prey on very small nano fish.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Arrowhead Puffer (6.5–7.5) and Licorice Gourami (3–6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Arrowhead Puffer needs 5–15 dGH while Licorice Gourami requires 0–4 dGH.

To house Arrowhead Puffer and Licorice Gourami together, plan for an aquarium of at least 114 litres with a minimum length of 75 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Arrowhead Puffer and Licorice Gourami are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Arrowhead Puffer is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Licorice Gourami.