Can Sparkling Gourami live with Tiger Barb?
Caution — with care
Why
- Tiger Barb is a fin-nipper and will shred the long/flowing fins of Sparkling Gourami.
- Tiger Barb is semi-aggressive — give the peaceful Sparkling Gourami plenty of space, cover and broken sight lines.
Sweet spot: both do well at 76–82°F and pH 6–7.5 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Sparkling Gourami | Tiger Barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82°F | 74–82°F |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 6–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–12 dGH | 4–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 1.5" | 2.75" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Min tank | 10 gal | 20 gal |
Together, plan on at least 20 gallons.
How to make it work
- Keep the nipper in a bigger group (8+) to spread out the nipping, and avoid long-finned tankmates.
- Use a larger, well-decorated tank with sightline breaks, keep everyone well-fed, and add the calmer fish first.
Sort it with: GH remineraliser
Where to buy
- Sparkling Gourami: buy at The Shrimp Farm · The Shrimp Farm 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.
Design the whole tank, not just the stocking
Skapelab plans a complete, buildable planted aquarium around your fish — a hand-illustrated layout, the exact plants and hardscape, a placement map, and a full equipment and shopping list. Free.
Design a tank with Sparkling Gourami, Tiger Barb →Everything compatible with Sparkling Gourami · …with Tiger Barb