Can rainbow sharks live with mollies?

Verdict

Yes, with care

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

Rainbow shark72–80°F · pH 6.5–7.5

Molly72–82°F · pH 7.5–8.5

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

What works

Both are fine at 72–80°F.
They use different parts of the tank: rainbow sharks the bottom, mollies the top.

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

	Rainbow shark	Molly
Temperature	72–80 °F	72–82 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	7.5–8.5
Adult size	6.0 in	4.0 in
Minimum tank	55 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Semi-aggressive	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Top
Group	One per tank	Groups of 3+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for rainbow sharks

All rainbow shark tank mates

Better tank mates for mollies

All molly tank mates

Questions

Can rainbow sharks live with mollies?

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and mollies 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 rainbow sharks and mollies?

72–80 °F. Rainbow sharks need 72–80 °F, mollies need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do rainbow sharks and mollies need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the rainbow shark. Add space for each extra fish.