Can ember tetras live with swordtails?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Ember tetras and swordtails can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

Ember tetra73–84°F · pH 5.5–7

Swordtail72–79°F · pH 7–8.3

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outAt 5 inches a swordtail can swallow a small ember tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

What works

Both are fine at 73–79°F.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Ember tetra	Swordtail
Temperature	73–84 °F	72–79 °F
pH	5.5–7	7–8.3
Adult size	0.8 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	Middle	Middle
Group	Groups of 6+	Groups of 3+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for ember tetras

All ember tetra tank mates

Better tank mates for swordtails

All swordtail tank mates

Questions

Can ember tetras live with swordtails?

Yes, with care. Ember tetras and swordtails can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

What temperature suits both ember tetras and swordtails?

73–79 °F. Ember tetras need 73–84 °F, swordtails need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do ember tetras and swordtails need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the swordtail. Add space for each extra fish.