Can Chocolate Gourami live with Carbon Rili Shrimp?
Caution — with care
Why
- No overlapping temperature: Chocolate Gourami wants 78–86°F but Carbon Rili Shrimp wants 65–75°F.
- Only a narrow pH overlap — keep both around 6.5.
- Chocolate Gourami leaves adult Carbon Rili Shrimp alone but eats the babies — the colony survives with plenty of cover.
- No overlapping water hardness: Chocolate Gourami wants 0–5 dGH but Carbon Rili Shrimp wants 6–15 dGH.
Side-by-side
| Chocolate Gourami | Carbon Rili Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 78–86°F | 65–75°F |
| pH | 4–6.5 | 6.5–7.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 0–5 dGH | 6–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 2" | 1.5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 15 gal | 10 gal |
Together, plan on at least 15 gallons.
How to make it work
- Keep a large, established shrimp colony in a heavily planted tank with moss and cover so enough survive to breed.
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
Sort it with: An adjustable heater → Chewy GH remineraliser → Aquarium Co-Op
Where to buy
- Chocolate Gourami: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- Carbon Rili Shrimp: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
Live-animal shipping: add a heat pack below 50°F, expect weather holds above 90°F, and schedule delivery for a moderate week when someone can receive it promptly.
Build a full tank around this stocking →Everything compatible with Chocolate Gourami · …with Carbon Rili Shrimp