Can Licorice Gourami and Paradise Fish Live Together?

Licorice Gourami is a peaceful species (2/10), while Paradise Fish is semi-aggressive (8/10). This notable difference means Paradise Fish may occasionally assert dominance over Licorice Gourami.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Licorice Gourami and Paradise Fish increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Licorice Gourami and Paradise Fish 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.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Aggressive fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species. Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: Paradise Fish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 26°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 24.0°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: Licorice Gourami needs 0–4 dGH while Paradise Fish requires 5–30 dGH.

To house Licorice Gourami and Paradise Fish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 75 litres with a minimum length of 80 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: Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). 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.

Licorice Gourami and Paradise Fish 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.