Dwarf gouamis with an electric blue acara?

[Lira]

Thinking about smaller (but not too small), vibrant tank mates for an electric blue acara for a 40 gal breeder. Would this work?

 

[Byron]

I would not risk it. Generally speaking, cichlids and gouramis should not be combined. For one thing, males are territorial to varying degrees. With the dwarf gourami you also run the risk of iridovirus in this species, untreatable and uncurable.

I will leave it for the cichlid members to suggest suitable dither fish. At 6 to 8 inches for the Acara though, there is little room left in a 40g tank.