Crayfish tank mates

Good matches

70 of 98

The safest picks for crayfish are goldfish, paradise fish and zebra danios. Each match shares crayfish' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Catches sleeping fish, cuts plants and climbs out of open tanks.

Temperature: 65–77°F
pH: 6.5–8
Temperament: Aggressive
Minimum tank: 20 gal
With care: 11
Avoid: 17

How each group of fish does with crayfish. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Betta They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Koi A grown koi may treat small crayfish as food, especially at night.
Angelfish They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Bala shark Bala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for crayfish.
Tinfoil barb Tinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for crayfish.
Blood parrot They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Pearl gourami They only share 77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for crayfish.
Cardinal tetra They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Peacock cichlid They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Clown loach They only share 77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); crayfish need 65–77°F. They overlap only at 65–66°F, the edge of both ranges.
Cherry shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult cherry shrimp will be eaten.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
Mystery snail Crayfish hunt snails, so mystery snails will be eaten.
Ghost shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult ghost shrimp will be eaten.
Amano shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult amano shrimp will be eaten.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
Ramshorn snail Crayfish hunt snails, so ramshorn snails will be eaten.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, crayfish need 65–77°F.
Nerite snail Crayfish hunt snails, so nerite snails will be eaten.
Bamboo shrimp Crayfish hunt shrimp. Adult bamboo shrimp will be eaten.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Crayfish need 65–77°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
Assassin snail Crayfish hunt snails, so assassin snails will be eaten.
Zebra pleco No shared temperature. Crayfish need 65–77°F, zebra plecos need 79–88°F.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, crayfish need 65–77°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the crayfish care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for crayfish?

Goldfish, Paradise fish, Zebra danios, Gold barbs, Pea puffers. They share crayfish' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with crayfish?

Axolotls, Cherry shrimp, Oscars, Mystery snails, Ghost shrimp. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); crayfish need 65–77°F. They overlap only at 65–66°F, the edge of both ranges.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.