Can mollies live with tinfoil barbs?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Mollies and tinfoil barbs can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

Molly72–82°F · pH 7.5–8.5

Tinfoil barb72–80°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Watch outTinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for mollies.

What works

Both are fine at 72–80°F.
They use different parts of the tank: mollies the top, tinfoil barbs the mid.

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

	Molly	Tinfoil barb
Temperature	72–82 °F	72–80 °F
pH	7.5–8.5	6.5–7.5
Adult size	4.0 in	12.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	125 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Top	Middle
Group	Groups of 3+	Groups of 5+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for mollies

All molly tank mates

Better tank mates for tinfoil barbs

All tinfoil barb tank mates

Questions

Can mollies live with tinfoil barbs?

Yes, with care. Mollies and tinfoil barbs can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

What temperature suits both mollies and tinfoil barbs?

72–80 °F. Mollies need 72–82 °F, tinfoil barbs need 72–80 °F.

What size tank do mollies and tinfoil barbs need together?

At least 125 gal, set by the tinfoil barb. Add space for each extra fish.