In this article we will discuss angelfish and gouramis.We will also discuss their relationship and other tank parameters which are suitable for them to survive together in aquarium settings.
Overview
- Can angelfish and Gourami live in the same aquarium?
- Key specifications of angelfish and gouramis
- Where are angelfish and gouramis found?
- How long do angelfish and gouramis live?
- What tank size do angelfish and gouramis need?
- Are angelfish and gouramis aggressive in nature?
- What do angelfish and gouramis eat?
- Are water parameters the same for angelfish and gouramis in aquarium conditions?
- Do angelfish and gouramis need the same aquarium plants in their tanks?
- Do angelfish and gouramis need the same light intensity in their tanks?
- Do angelfish and gouramis need similar substrates in their tank?
- Is it easy to care for angelfish and Gourami togethers in the same aquariums?
- Are angelfish and gouramis both perfect community fish?
- Are angelfish and gouramis beginner friendly or for experienced aquarists?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
Can angelfish and gouramis live in the same aquarium?
Angelfish and gouramis can be kept together in the same aquariums as they share the same tank requirements.But you need to monitor them daily , especially if dwarf gouramis are kept with angels in the same aquarium.
Angelfish and male gouramis are a bit aggressive in nature so,you need to monitor them on a daily basis.If they show signs of aggression towards each other then you have to separate them.But usually this has never happened.
Key specifications of angelfish and Gouramis
| Key specifications | Angelfish | Gouramis |
| Scientific nameTypes Family | Pterophyllum GenusFreshwater angelfishAltum angelfishLeopold’s angelfishCichlidae | Anabantoidei Dwarf gouramiPearl gouramiSiamese fighting fishOsphronemidae |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Habitat | South America90 different species | Asia133 different species |
Where are angelfish and gouramis found?
Angelfish are found in quiet, slow moving water,dimly lit areas, overhanging vegetation of tropical South America,specifically Amazon river system.
Gouramis are found in slow-moving rivers,swamps,marshes, canals, wetlands and temporary pools of Asia, i.e India,Pakistan,Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysian Archipelago,China,Korea and japan.
Common is they both come from slow moving water and they both require slow water movement in their aquarium when kept together.This water movement preference in their aquarium can make them ideal tank mates for each other.
How long do angelfish and gouramis live?
Angelfish can live up to 10 years in captivity,if they are kept in a right size aquarium,given nutritions,balanced diet meals and optimal water conditions.
The gouramis can live between 3-5 years depending upon the species.Some gouramis are known to live even longer than 5 years in captivity.
Gouramis lifespan depends on correct aquarium size,proper tank maintenance practice, healthy-diet,optimal water parameters & stress free environment.
What tank size do angelfish and gouramis need?
Tank size for angelfish
- Angels are bigger in size and need a bigger,taller and spacious tank of 40-45 gallons to house them.
- An 80 gallon tank will keep a small school of angelfish together.
- A 40 gallon tank is best for a pair of angels.
- Angels need an open swimming area and lots of hiding space in their tank.
- Taller aquariums are best for angels as they can nicely accommodate their body shape.
- Angels do well in bigger and spacious tanks.
- Minimum tank size for angels is 30 gallons
- Angels don’t do well in smaller and crowded aquariums.
Tank size for gouramis
- Honey and dwarf gouramis can be kept in small size tanks of 10 gallons easily.
- Pearl gouramis, blue gouramis, gold gouramis, opaline and moonlight gouramis and paradise gouramis can be kept in bigger tanks of 30 gallons.
- Bigger is always better for these gouramis.They will do well in bigger and spacious tanks.
- Kissing gouramis are quite bigger in size and a 55 gallons tank would be better for them.
- They become very large when they are fully grown,so a 55 gallon tank or even bigger and spacious one will do the needful.
- Minimum tank size for gouramis is 10 gallons.
Are angelfish and gouramis aggressive in nature?
Angelfish are normally peaceful cichlids but get aggressive towards their own kind during breeding season.
Angelfish are called opportunists by some fish keepers,as they tend to eat anything in their vicinity,which can easily fit in their mouth.They also show aggression to establish their hierarchy in aquariums.
Gouramis are usually peaceful fish and can be kept with small sized species in groups.The male gouramis are known to show aggression towards each other,but they don’t fight each other to death.
Among all gouramis, sparkling gouramis are considered as the most peaceful when kept in groups of six in well planted aquariums. Bigger gouramis are territorial in nature.
What do angelfish and gouramis eat?
Angelfish are omnivores and bottom feeders.Being an omnivore they too accept a wide range of food.
Food preference for angelfish:
- Hikari vibra bites
- Tubifex worms
- Tropical flakes,color flakes,tropical granules
- Shrimp pellets
- Freeze dried bloodworms (most favorite)
- Fluval bug bites
- Veggies-Zucchini and other fresh veggies from your kitchen
- Algae wafers
- Frozen mysis shrimp
- Cichlid flake and protein rich pellets
Gouramis are omnivores and will eat a wide range of food offered to them.
Food preference for gouramis:
- Tropical flakes
- Color flakes
- Tropical granules
- Shrimp pellets
- Among gouramis,kissing gouramis are herbivores,which like to eat spirulina flakes and algae rounds.
- If you want to induce spawning, then you can feed live and frozen food to them.
- They can be given vegetables too.
Food habits are almost similar for both angelfish and gouramis.it will be easier for fish keepers,as they don’t have to buy different varieties for them.
Make sure angels are not competing for food and other resources with gouramis in aquarium.It’s very important to monitor their interactions everyday to avoid such problems in tanks.
Are water parameters same for angelfish and gouramis in aquarium conditions?
| Water parameters | Angelfish | Gouramis |
| Water typeTemperature Breeding temperaturepHWater hardnessWater movement | Freshwater 80F (warm water)80F-82F6.8-7.8 (acidic)3-8 dKHSlow moving | Freshwater 72F-82F77F-82F6.0-7.54-10 KHSlow moving |
Water parameters for both gouramis and angels are almost similar.
They both are freshwater species,require almost the same breeding temperature,normal temperature,water pH ,degree of water hardness and same water movements in their tanks.
By looking at the water parameters we can say they can make great tank mates.
Do angelfish and gouramis need the same aquarium plants in their tanks?
| Tank plants for angels | Angelfish thrive well in densely planted aquariums.Anubias,Hornworts,jungle Vallisneria, Java fern,Amazon sword,Wisteria, Water sprite, dwarf tiger lotus,Ambulia.Amazon swords are very important during breeding time. |
| Tank plants for gouramis | Amazon frogbit,water lettuce, hornwort, cryptocoryne,java moss,crystalwort.Not all gouramis need well planted tanks.Tall and floating plants are best for gouramisBushy tall plants are good during breeding time. |
Tank plants or aquatic plants preference are also similar for angelfish and gouramis.All the angel species thrive well in densely planted tanks.
In the case of gouramis, some species don’t need aquatic plants in their tanks.
But the live plants are almost similar for both of them and fishkeepers don’t have to think a lot for the plant preference for their tanks,if they are keeping angelfish with gouramis.
Do angelfish and gouramis need the same light intensity in their tanks?
Angelfish do need light in their tanks to differentiate between day and night.Abrupt light changes stress them.They need light for at least 9 hours a day in their tank.
Standard aquarium light will imitate the natural sunlight and will do the needful.
Gouramis need low-lighting in their aquarium.They need light for sometime to maintain their biological cycle.Standard aquarium lighting will do the needful.
The light intensity requirements are the same for both angelfish and gouramis.
Do angelfish and gouramis need similar substrates in their tank?
Angelfish are bottom feeders and need a substrate which are fine to medium grade.They do well in smooth surface gravels.
Some of them have the habit of digging their substrate too so a smooth substrate is fine for angels.Smooth substrate will not damage them while digging or during feeding at the bottom.
Substrates don’t play a great role in gouramis tank.They don’t care about the substrate at all.
Gouramis are mid-dwellers,so If you keep substrate or choose not to keep in their tanks,both conditions are totally fine with gouramis.
But if gouramis are kept with bottom dwellers like angelfish then a smooth sandy substrate will do the needful.As such gouramis don’t need substrate in their tank.
Is it easy to care for angelfish and gouramis togethers in the same aquariums?
Angelfish do well in well maintained tanks,where pH ,temperatures ,water movement ,food and other things are taken care of properly.
They are easy to care for but may get aggressive towards other tank mates in overcrowded tanks.
Gouramis are undemanding, low maintenance, easy to care for in aquarium settings.
Blue gouramis and male gouramis are a little bit intolerant.They are a bit aggressive too,towards their own kind.So they need special attention when kept in a community tank or with other species.
Are angelfish and gouramis both perfect community fish?
Angelfish do well in community tanks but they might like overcrowded tanks.If you are planning to keep angelfish in a community tank then make sure that tank is spacious and bigger.
They get aggressive in small and overcrowded tanks.So its very important to add angelfish in a bigger and spacious community tank.
Gouramis are a diverse group of species and all are having different size.Some are small,some are medium sized and some are bigger in size.It is not necessary that all of them are a good community fish.
Few gouramis get along well in community tanks while some won’t.Female powder gouramis,pearl gouramis,chocolate gouramis, sparkling gouramis and honey gouramis are the best community fish among gouramis.
Are angelfish and gouramis beginner friendly or for experienced aquarists?
Angelfish are good for both newcomers and experienced aquarist.They are hardy species and do well in a wide range of water parameters.You need to keep ammonia levels in check to avoid ammonia spikes in their tanks.
Likewise angelfish, gouramis are good for both newcomers and experienced.They are also hardy species and do well in tanks with proper water changes and clean tanks.
Summary
Angelfish and gouramis are both freshwater species and have similar aquarium preferences.They both can dwell in the same aquariums but need to be monitored daily as angelfish and male gouramis are aggressive in nature.
Frequently asked questions
Are angelfish and gouramis best tank mates for each other?
They can do well with each other in the same aquarium as they have similar preferences, but dwarf gouramis should not be kept because they are docile in nature and allow others to hurt them without attacking back at them.
