Can Cuban Gar and Licorice Gourami Live Together?

Cuban Gar is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while Licorice Gourami is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Cuban Gar may occasionally assert dominance over Licorice Gourami.

Cuban Gar and Licorice Gourami both frequent the Middle (Open Water) 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..

Worth noting: Cuban Gar is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

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 Cuban Gar (6.5–8) and Licorice Gourami (3–6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Cuban Gar needs 8–20 dGH while Licorice Gourami requires 0–4 dGH.

To house Cuban Gar and Licorice Gourami together, plan for an aquarium of at least 3785 litres with a minimum length of 300 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: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), 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.

Cuban Gar 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.