Can Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) and Licorice Gourami Live Together?

Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) is a generally mild-mannered species (4/10), while Licorice Gourami is peaceful (2/10). This modest difference means Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) may occasionally assert dominance over Licorice Gourami.

Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) and Licorice Gourami both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and 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: Shrimp eaters may also prey on very small nano fish.

Worth noting: Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 6. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) needs 5–15 dGH while Licorice Gourami requires 0–4 dGH.

To house Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) and Licorice Gourami together, plan for an aquarium of at least 110 litres with a minimum length of 90 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: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Leaf Litter/Blackwater. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

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

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Licorice Gourami.