Fish Compatibility Chart & Checker
Check aquarium fish compatibility instantly. Our comprehensive freshwater fish compatibility chart helps you choose peaceful tank mates and avoid aggressive combinations. Visual compatibility matrix included.
How to Read the Matrix
| Species | NT P | CT P | G P | P P | CC P | HR P | A S | DG S | TB S | RS S | BF A | CC A | OC A | JDC A | CP P | KL P | BST P | RNT P | ET P | ST S | LT P | M P | S P | EL P | CB P | GB P | RB P | PG P | HG P | BG S | ZD P | CPD P | CR P | GBR P | BR P | K S | FC S | EBA S | OC P | BP P | PC P | BC P | PC P | SAE P | CL P | YL S | BR P | DR P | WCMM P | GC P | RTS S | SD P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neon Tetra 70-81°F | pH 6-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cardinal Tetra 73-81°F | pH 5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Guppy 74-82°F | pH 6.8-7.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Platy 70-82°F | pH 7-8.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corydoras Catfish 72-78°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Harlequin Rasbora 73-82°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Angelfish 78-84°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dwarf Gourami 77-82°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tiger Barb 74-79°F | pH 6-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rainbow Shark 75-81°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Betta Fish 76-82°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convict Cichlid 79-84°F | pH 6.5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oscar Cichlid 74-81°F | pH 6-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jack Dempsey Cichlid 78-82°F | pH 6.5-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Pleco 72-82°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kuhli Loach 75-85°F | pH 6-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Black Skirt Tetra 70-80°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rummy Nose Tetra 75-84°F | pH 5.5-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ember Tetra 73-84°F | pH 5.5-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Serpae Tetra 72-79°F | pH 5-7.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lemon Tetra 72-82°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Molly 72-82°F | pH 7-8.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swordtail 72-82°F | pH 7-8.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Endler's Livebearer 75-82°F | pH 6.5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cherry Barb 73-81°F | pH 6-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Barb 64-75°F | pH 6-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rosy Barb 64-72°F | pH 6.5-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pearl Gourami 77-82°F | pH 5.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Honey Gourami 72-82°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Blue Gourami 75-82°F | pH 6-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zebra Danio 64-77°F | pH 6.5-7.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Celestial Pearl Danio 73-79°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chili Rasbora 68-82°F | pH 4-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
German Blue Ram 78-85°F | pH 5-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bolivian Ram 72-79°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kribensis 75-79°F | pH 5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Firemouth Cichlid 75-86°F | pH 6.5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electric Blue Acara 72-82°F | pH 6.5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Otocinclus Catfish 72-79°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bristlenose Pleco 73-81°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Panda Cory 68-77°F | pH 6-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bronze Cory 72-79°F | pH 6-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pygmy Cory 72-79°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Siamese Algae Eater 75-79°F | pH 6.5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clown Loach 75-86°F | pH 6-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yoyo Loach 75-86°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boesemani Rainbow 75-86°F | pH 7-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dwarf Rainbow 75-82°F | pH 6.8-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
White Cloud Mountain Minnow 64-72°F | pH 6-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Glass Catfish 75-82°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Red Tail Shark 72-79°F | pH 6.5-7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Silver Dollar 75-82°F | pH 6-7 |
Legend
Which aquarium fish are compatible?
Compatible fish share similar water parameters, temperament, and adult size. Peaceful community fish like tetras, corydoras, and rasboras generally work well together.
Quick Reference
Choosing compatible tank mates is crucial for a peaceful aquarium. Our fish compatibility checker helps you avoid aggressive combinations and create harmonious communities by analyzing temperament, water parameters, and size differences.
Select Your Fish
Choose fish species you're interested in keeping. Start with your 'must-have' species and build around their requirements.
Check Compatibility
View the compatibility matrix showing which species work well together, which require caution, and which to avoid.
Consider Tank Size
Ensure your tank is large enough for all selected species. Overcrowding increases aggression even among compatible species.
Match Parameters
Verify all species share similar temperature, pH, and hardness requirements. Parameter mismatches stress fish and cause health issues.
Why it matters: Larger fish eating smaller tank mates as they grow
Do this instead: Research adult sizes and plan for full-grown fish
Why it matters: Stress, disease, and death from improper temperatures
Do this instead: Only combine fish with overlapping temperature ranges
Why it matters: Aggression increases even among peaceful fish
Do this instead: Follow proper stocking guidelines and provide adequate space
Why it matters: Peaceful fish become aggressive when spawning
Do this instead: Provide extra space and hiding spots for breeding fish
Pro tip: Taking time to measure accurately and understand these common pitfalls will save you money on equipment, prevent fish losses, and create a healthier aquatic environment. When in doubt, double-check your measurements!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What fish are compatible with each other?
Compatible fish share similar water parameters, temperament, and size. Good combinations include: tetras with corydoras, angelfish with larger tetras, and livebearers together. Avoid mixing aggressive with peaceful species or vastly different sizes.
Can goldfish live with tropical fish?
No, goldfish require cooler water (65-72°F) while tropical fish need warmer temperatures (76-80°F). Goldfish also produce more waste and can outcompete tropicals for food. Keep them in separate, species-appropriate tanks.
What makes fish incompatible tank mates?
Incompatibility stems from: aggression levels, different temperature needs, pH requirements, size differences (big fish eat small fish), fin-nipping behavior, territorial disputes, and different dietary needs.
How many fish can I put in my tank?
The old '1 inch per gallon' rule is outdated. Consider adult size, activity level, bioload, and territorial needs. Use our compatibility checker along with the tank volume calculator for personalized stocking recommendations.
Can all community fish live together?
Not all 'community' fish are compatible. Some need specific conditions - discus require higher temperatures, some barbs are fin-nippers, and certain 'peaceful' fish become territorial when breeding. Research each species thoroughly.
What are signs of fish incompatibility?
Watch for: torn fins, missing scales, fish hiding constantly, aggressive chasing, fish not eating, stress coloration, or fish staying in one area of the tank. Remove incompatible fish immediately to prevent deaths.
Building Your Community?
Make sure your tank is properly sized and equipped:
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Related Topics
Minimum tank sizes for different species
Explore fish tank size requirements →Matching fish with similar water needs
Explore aquarium water parameters →Which fish need to be kept in groups
Explore schooling fish requirements →Why Accurate Calculations Matter
Precise measurements are the foundation of successful aquarium keeping. Whether you're calculating water volume for medication dosing, determining substrate amounts for a planted tank, or sizing equipment like heaters and filters, accuracy prevents costly mistakes and ensures the health of your aquatic pets. Our calculators take the guesswork out of aquarium math, helping both beginners and experienced aquarists make informed decisions.