Tank mates for three spot gouramis

We checked three spot gouramis against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for three spot gouramis include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and malaysian trumpet snail. Avoid betta fish, cherry shrimp and common goldfish: betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like three spot gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.

Three spot gouramis: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6–8, adult size 12 cm (4.7 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full three spot gourami care guide.

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Good Compatible tank mates (40)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (91)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

Angelfish · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase dwarf gouramis, which use the same area.
- Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
- Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase three spot gouramis, which use the same area.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller guppies.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase guppies, which use the same area.
Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
Oscar · 75+ gal
- Oscar may eat three spot gouramis, especially young or small ones.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller African dwarf frogs.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Black skirt tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cardinal tetras.
Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller celestial pearl danios.
Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cherry barbs.
Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller chili rasboras.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Three spot gouramis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Convict cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
- Convict cichlid is aggressive. Three spot gouramis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Denison barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
Ember tetra · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller ember tetras.
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight tetras.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of honey gouramis are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller honey gouramis.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase honey gouramis, which use the same area.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Three spot gouramis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller julii corydoras.
Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller otocinclus.
Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of pearl gouramis are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl gouramis, which use the same area.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pygmy corydoras.
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rosy barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rummy-nose tetras.
Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Senegal bichir sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Yoyo loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase african butterfly fish, which use the same area.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase three spot gouramis, which use the same area.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black neon tetras.
Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black phantom tetras.
- Black phantom tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
- Bleeding heart tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bloodfin tetras.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase bloodfin tetras, which use the same area.
- Bloodfin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown killifish.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase clown killifish, which use the same area.
Congo tetra · 40+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of Congo tetras are an easy target.
Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Diamond tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Three spot gourami may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
- Dwarf orange crayfish sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emperor tetras.
Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase Endler's livebearers, which use the same area.
Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller forktail blue-eyes.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase forktail blue-eyes, which use the same area.
Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase giant danios, which use the same area.
- Giant danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Gold barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase golden wonder killifish, which use the same area.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Green terror is aggressive. Three spot gouramis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Jewel cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kubotai rasboras.
Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lambchop rasboras.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Odessa barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller penguin tetras.
- Penguin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy loaches.
Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy tetras.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller scarlet badis.
Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase scissortail rasboras, which use the same area.
Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sparkling gouramis.
Swordtail · 29+ gal
- Swordtail sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Three spot gourami may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of threadfin rainbowfish are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller threadfin rainbowfish.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Zebra loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Black ruby barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller checkerboard barbs.
Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf rasboras.
Flame tetra · 15+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
- Glowlight danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller green neon tetras.
Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller least killifish.
Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of moonlight gouramis are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase moonlight gouramis, which use the same area.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl danios, which use the same area.
- Pearl danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
- Silvertip tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of thick-lipped gouramis are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase thick-lipped gouramis, which use the same area.
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (18)

Betta fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like three spot gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
Cherry shrimp: Three spot gourami eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Three spot gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Three spot gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of three spot gouramis.
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Three spot gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Three spot gouramis don't belong in that setup.
Pea puffer: Pea puffer is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of three spot gouramis. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Three spot gouramis don't belong in that setup.
Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Three spot gouramis don't belong in that setup.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Three spot gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Buenos Aires tetra: Buenos Aires tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of three spot gouramis.
Crystal red shrimp: Three spot gourami eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Three spot gouramis don't belong in that setup.
Frontosa: Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Three spot gouramis don't belong in that setup.
Paradise fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like three spot gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
Serpae tetra: Serpae tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of three spot gouramis.
Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Three spot gouramis don't belong in that setup.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with three spot gouramis?

Good tank mates for three spot gouramis include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and malaysian trumpet snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat three spot gouramis.

Can three spot gouramis live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.

Can three spot gouramis live with bettas?

No. Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like three spot gouramis, mistaking them for rivals. Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

Can three spot gouramis live with bristlenose plecos?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can three spot gouramis live with bronze corydoras?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.

Good Compatible tank mates (40)

Bristlenose pleco

Bronze corydoras

Common pleco

Nerite snail

Assassin snail

Bala shark

Blood parrot cichlid

Boesemani rainbowfish

Dwarf neon rainbowfish

Electric blue acara

Firemouth cichlid

Kuhli loach

Malaysian trumpet snail

Molly

Mystery snail

Platy

Rainbow shark

Ramshorn snail

Red-tail shark

Siamese algae eater

Silver dollar

Sterbai corydoras

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Black ghost knifefish

Bolivian ram

Bumblebee catfish

Clown pleco

Cockatoo cichlid

Emerald green corydoras

Glass catfish

Kissing gourami

Peacock gudgeon

Rabbit snail

Red rainbowfish

Ropefish

Severum

Tinfoil barb

Upside-down catfish

Zebra pleco

Keyhole cichlid

Caution Possible, with care (91)

Avoid Bad tank mates (18)

Frequently asked questions