Honey Gourami With Amano Shrimp: Your Ultimate Guide To A Thriving
Are you dreaming of a vibrant, peaceful aquarium where shimmering fish and diligent invertebrates coexist in perfect harmony? It’s a common goal for many of us in the hobby, but finding the right tank mates can feel like a puzzle.
You’ve probably heard stories of fish bullying or even eating their shrimp companions. It’s enough to make anyone hesitant. But I promise you, creating that balanced, beautiful underwater world is not only possible, it’s incredibly rewarding.
The secret often lies in choosing the right combination, and the pairing of honey gourami with amano shrimp is one of the absolute best. Imagine a gentle, golden-hued gourami exploring the mid-water, while a team of tireless amano shrimp keeps your plants and substrate sparkling clean below.
In this complete guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know to make this partnership a stunning success. We’ll cover the ideal tank setup, how to introduce them safely, and how to troubleshoot any minor bumps along the way. Let’s build your dream tank together!
Why Honey Gourami and Amano Shrimp Are a Perfect Match
Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Not all fish-and-shrimp combinations work, but this one feels like it was designed by nature. This section explores the key benefits of honey gourami with amano shrimp and why they are such fantastic tank mates.
Their compatibility comes down to a few key factors:
- Peaceful Temperament: The Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) is one of the most docile and shy members of the gourami family. Unlike their larger, more aggressive cousins, they rarely show interest in harassing or hunting adult invertebrates. They are curious but not cruel.
- Different Aquarium Zones: Honey gouramis are labyrinth fish, meaning they have a special organ to breathe atmospheric air. They spend most of their time exploring the middle and top sections of the tank. Amano shrimp, on the other hand, are primarily bottom-dwellers and scavengers, constantly grazing on surfaces throughout the tank. They rarely get in each other’s way.
- A Natural Cleanup Crew: Amano shrimp are algae-eating powerhouses! They will tirelessly clean your plants, driftwood, and substrate, tackling algae that your gourami won’t touch. This creates a healthier, more stable, and visually appealing environment for everyone.
- Manageable Size: Both species remain relatively small. A honey gourami typically reaches about 2 inches, while a full-grown amano shrimp can be just under that. This makes them a perfect fit for moderately sized aquariums (15 gallons and up) without the risk of a huge size disparity that often leads to trouble.
Setting Up the Perfect Tank: A Honey Gourami with Amano Shrimp Guide
Creating the right environment is the most critical step for success. A well-planned habitat will ensure your gourami feels secure and your shrimp have places to retreat, leading to a stress-free community. Here’s a detailed honey gourami with amano shrimp care guide for your tank setup.
Tank Size and Setup
While both species are small, they need room to thrive. We recommend a minimum of a 15-gallon tank, but a 20-gallon long is even better. A longer tank provides more horizontal swimming space and a larger footprint for the shrimp to explore.
Don’t forget a lid! Honey gouramis are known to be occasional jumpers, especially when startled, and a secure lid will keep them safely inside their home.
Water Parameters
Stability is more important than chasing perfect numbers. Both species are quite hardy, but they appreciate consistent conditions. Aim for the following parameters:
- Temperature: 74-80°F (23-27°C)
- pH: 6.0 – 7.5
- Hardness (GH): 5 – 15 dGH
Always use a reliable aquarium heater to keep the temperature stable and a good filter to keep the water clean. A gentle flow is best, as honey gouramis come from slow-moving waters and don’t appreciate strong currents.
The Importance of Plants and Hiding Spots
This is non-negotiable for keeping honey gourami with amano shrimp successfully. A heavily planted tank is the key to harmony. Plants provide cover, security, and surfaces for shrimp to graze on.
Focus on creating a lush, jungle-like environment. Here are some excellent plant choices:
- Java Moss: Provides an incredible amount of surface area for biofilm to grow (a shrimp delicacy) and offers near-impenetrable cover for molting shrimp.
- Hornwort & Anacharis: Fast-growing stem plants that help absorb excess nutrients and provide dense thickets for both species to feel secure.
- Cryptocoryne Species: Beautiful, low-maintenance mid-ground plants that create a lush landscape.
- Floating Plants: Plants like Frogbit or Red Root Floaters diffuse the light and make honey gouramis, who can be shy, feel much more comfortable and display their best colors.
In addition to plants, add some hardscape like driftwood or small caves. These structures break up sightlines and give shrimp a safe place to molt, which is when they are most vulnerable.
How to Introduce Your New Tank Mates Safely
You’ve set up the perfect tank—now it’s time for the introductions! How you add your new residents can make or break their future relationship. Follow these honey gourami with amano shrimp best practices for a smooth transition.
Rule #1: Add the Shrimp First!
This is one of our top honey gourami with amano shrimp tips. Introduce your group of amano shrimp to the aquarium at least a week or two before adding the gourami. This allows the shrimp to map out the territory, find all the best hiding spots, and get comfortable in their new home.
When the gourami is introduced later, it enters a space where the shrimp are already established residents, not new, panicked intruders. This dramatically reduces the chance of the gourami viewing them as a potential snack.
Rule #2: Acclimate Slowly and Carefully
Shrimp are particularly sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters. Never just “plop and drop” them into the tank. The best method is drip acclimation:
- Place the shrimp and their bag water into a small container.
- Use a piece of airline tubing to start a slow siphon from your main tank into the container.
- Tie a knot in the tubing or use a valve to restrict the flow to a slow drip (2-3 drips per second).
- Let the water from your tank slowly drip into the container for at least an hour, doubling the volume of water.
- Once acclimated, gently net the shrimp and release them into your aquarium. Discard the water from the container.
Feeding Your Community: Diet and Nutrition Best Practices
A well-fed community is a happy community. Fortunately, feeding this pair is incredibly simple.
Honey gouramis are omnivores. They will eagerly accept high-quality flake food, micro-pellets, and frozen or live foods like daphnia and brine shrimp. A varied diet will bring out their best health and coloration.
Amano shrimp are master scavengers. They will spend their days eating algae and biofilm. However, you should supplement their diet to ensure they get enough food, especially in a very clean tank. You can provide them with:
- Sinking algae wafers
- Shrimp-specific pellets (like Shrimp King)
- Blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach (remove after a few hours)
A great pro tip is to feed the shrimp a sinking wafer a few minutes after the lights go out. This allows them to eat without having to compete with the more forward gourami.
Common Problems with Honey Gourami with Amano Shrimp (And How to Solve Them)
Even in the best pairings, you might encounter a few hiccups. Don’t worry! Here’s a guide to some common problems with honey gourami with amano shrimp and their easy solutions.
A Gourami is Chasing a Shrimp
The Problem: You see your honey gourami occasionally following or “pecking” at an amano shrimp.
The Solution: This is often simple curiosity, not true aggression. Ensure the tank is densely planted. If a shrimp has plenty of places to quickly hide (like a thick patch of Java Moss), the gourami will lose interest almost immediately. This behavior is most common when the fish are first introduced and usually fades within a few days.
My Shrimp Are Always Hiding
The Problem: You’ve added your shrimp, but you never see them.
The Solution: This is normal for the first few days. Give them time to adjust. If it persists, it could be a sign of stress. Double-check your water parameters. Also, consider adding more shrimp. Amano shrimp feel much more confident in larger groups. A group of 6 or more is ideal to encourage bolder behavior.
Are My Shrimp Safe During Molting?
The Problem: A shrimp sheds its exoskeleton to grow (molts) and is soft and vulnerable for a few hours afterward.
The Solution: This is where your dense planting and hardscape are essential. A healthy shrimp will instinctively find a secure, hidden spot to molt in peace. A well-fed honey gourami is also far less likely to bother a vulnerable shrimp. This is the single biggest reason why a barren tank will fail while a planted tank will succeed.
The Eco-Friendly Aquarium: Sustainable Honey Gourami with Amano Shrimp Keeping
As aquarists, we are stewards of our own tiny ecosystems. Practicing the hobby in a way that’s mindful of the larger environment is a wonderful goal. A sustainable honey gourami with amano shrimp setup is easy to achieve.
Look for captive-bred honey gouramis whenever possible. This reduces the pressure on wild populations. While most amano shrimp are wild-caught (due to a very difficult breeding process), you can support their habitat by choosing retailers who prioritize sustainable collection practices.
Furthermore, your heavily planted tank is a model of eco-friendly honey gourami with amano shrimp keeping! Live plants act as natural filters, absorbing nitrates and improving water quality, which reduces the need for large, frequent water changes and saves water over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Gourami and Amano Shrimp
Will my honey gourami eat my amano shrimp?
It is extremely unlikely that a honey gourami will eat a full-grown amano shrimp. Amanos are one of the larger dwarf shrimp species. As long as the tank is well-planted and the fish is well-fed, you should have no issues. They might, however, eat a very tiny shrimplet if they stumbled upon one.
How many amano shrimp should I get for my honey gourami tank?
We recommend starting with a group of at least 5-6 for a 20-gallon tank. They are social creatures that feel safer in numbers, and a larger group will do a much better job of keeping your tank clean. You can easily keep 10 or more in a well-established tank.
Can I keep other fish with my honey gourami and amano shrimp?
Absolutely! This pair makes a fantastic foundation for a peaceful community tank. Great tank mates include Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus catfish, small rasboras (like Chili or Harlequin), and peaceful tetras (like Neon or Ember tetras). Avoid any fin-nippers or aggressive fish.
Conclusion: Your Thriving Community Awaits
Creating a peaceful, self-sustaining aquarium is one of the greatest joys in this hobby. The combination of the gentle, colorful honey gourami and the industrious, ever-busy amano shrimp is a classic for a reason: it simply works.
By providing a lush, planted environment, introducing them thoughtfully, and maintaining a stable home, you’re not just keeping pets—you’re cultivating a vibrant ecosystem right in your living room.
Now you have the complete how-to honey gourami with amano shrimp playbook. Go forth, set up that beautiful planted tank, and enjoy the serene beauty of this perfect partnership. Happy fishkeeping!
- Honey Gourami Turning Black – Your Guide To Breeding Colors Vs. Stress - November 21, 2025
- Honey Gourami Vs Yellow Gourami: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your - November 21, 2025
- Honey Gourami Requirements For A Vibrant & Healthy Planted Tank - November 21, 2025