Can Thick-lipped Gourami live with Purple Vampire Crab?
Caution — with care
Why
- Purple Vampire Crab can grab Thick-lipped Gourami while it sleeps — only fast mid/top-water fish are reasonably safe.
- No overlapping water hardness: Thick-lipped Gourami wants 6–7.5 dGH but Purple Vampire Crab wants 8–15 dGH.
- Only a narrow pH overlap — keep both around 7.5–7.6.
Sweet spot: both do well at 75–82°F and pH 7.5–7.6 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Thick-lipped Gourami | Purple Vampire Crab | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82°F | 75–82°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.6 | 7.5–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 6–7.5 dGH | 8–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 3.5" | 1.5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Min tank | 30 gal | 20 gal |
Together, plan on at least 30 gallons.
How to make it work
- Only combine with fast, mid/top-water fish and give the tankmates plenty of escape routes.
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
Sort it with: GH remineraliser
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Design a tank with Thick-lipped Gourami, Purple Vampire Crab →Everything compatible with Thick-lipped Gourami · …with Purple Vampire Crab