Can koi live with chili rasboras?

Verdict

No. Koi and chili rasboras should not share a tank. Koi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); chili rasboras need 75–82°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.

Koi59–77°F · pH 7–8.5

Chili rasbora75–82°F · pH 4–7

What to watch

Deal breakerKoi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); chili rasboras need 75–82°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.
Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outAt 24 inches a koi can swallow a small chili rasbora. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

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

	Koi	Chili rasbora
Temperature	59–77 °F	75–82 °F
pH	7–8.5	4–7
Adult size	24.0 in	0.8 in
Minimum tank	Pond	5 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	All levels	Middle
Group	Groups of 3+	Groups of 8+
Diet	Omnivore	Carnivore

Better tank mates for koi

All koi tank mates

Better tank mates for chili rasboras

All chili rasbora tank mates

Questions

Can koi live with chili rasboras?

No. Koi and chili rasboras should not share a tank. Koi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); chili rasboras need 75–82°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.

What temperature suits both koi and chili rasboras?

75–77 °F. Koi need 59–77 °F, chili rasboras need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do koi and chili rasboras need together?

A pond. Koi outgrow indoor tanks.