This study investigates the viability of a strong algorithm (PSOGSA) merging particle swarm optimization (PSO) and gravity search algorithm (GSA) in tuning adaptive neuro-fuzzy system (ANFIS) parameters for modeling dimensionless experimental discharge of combined weir–orifices. The results are compared with the standard ANFIS and two hybrid models ANFIS tuned with PSO and GSA. The models are assessed by applying several dimensionless input parameters, consisting h/D (the ratio of upstream water depth to channel diameter), W/D (the ratio of orifice opening height to channel diameter), H/D (the ratio of plate height to channel diameter) and using comparison indices such as root-mean-square error and mean absolute error. The outcomes reveal that the new ANFIS-PSOGSA method provides superior accuracy in modeling dimensionless experimental discharge over the ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-GSA and standard ANFIS method. Among the input parameters, the h/D was found to be the most effective input on modeling dimensionless experimental discharge while involving the H/D parameter deteriorated the models’ performances. The relative root-mean-square error differences between ANFIS-PSOGSA and ANFIS are found as 50% and 68.29% for pipe A and B, respectively. By implementing the ANFIS-PSOGSA, the accuracy of ANFIS-PSO and ANFIS-GSA is also improved in modeling dimensionless experimental discharge by 45.71% and 29.63% in pipe A and by 63.89% and 45.83% in pipe B with respect to root-mean-square error.