Killifish tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for killifish are corydoras, kuhli loaches and neon tetras. Each match shares killifish' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Males spar with each other. Jumpy; keep the lid tight.

Temperature: 70–77°F
pH: 5.5–7
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 10 gal
With care: 29
Avoid: 15

How each group of fish does with killifish. 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.
Goldfish Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Pea puffer Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Cherry shrimp Killifish will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.
Amano shrimp Killifish will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
Angelfish They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Mystery snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Koi Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Platy Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Ghost shrimp Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Cardinal tetra They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast killifish will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Silver dollar Silver dollars grow to 6 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for killifish.
Kissing gourami A grown kissing gourami may treat small killifish as food, especially at night.
Bala shark At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small killifish. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Ramshorn snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for killifish.
Chinese algae eater Chinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for killifish.
Nerite snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Tinfoil barb A grown tinfoil barb may treat small killifish as food, especially at night.
Swordtail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Fancy goldfish Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Clown loach They only share 77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Blood parrot They only share 76–77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Molly Different water: mollies want pH 7.5–8.5, killifish want pH 5.5–7.
Boesemani rainbowfish Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Pearl gourami They only share 77°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Assassin snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Endler's livebearer Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); killifish need 70–77°F. No temperature suits both.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches killifish do.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, killifish need 70–77°F.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, killifish need 70–77°F.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches killifish do.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches killifish do.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); killifish need 70–77°F. They overlap only at 70–72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches killifish do.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful killifish.
Zebra pleco No shared temperature. Killifish need 70–77°F, zebra plecos need 79–88°F.
African cichlid Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, killifish want pH 5.5–7.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: killifish want pH 5.5–7, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches killifish do.
Peacock cichlid Different water: killifish want pH 5.5–7, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, killifish need 70–77°F.

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

Questions

What are the best tank mates for killifish?

Corydoras, Kuhli loaches, Neon tetras, Black skirt tetras, Panda corys. They share killifish' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with killifish?

Axolotls, Oscars, Discus, Rams, Bichirs. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); killifish need 70–77°F. No temperature suits both.

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.