Kribensis tank mates

Good matches

62 of 98

The safest picks for kribensis are bettas, angelfish and tiger barbs. Each match shares kribensis' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Calm most of the time, fierce while guarding fry.

Temperature: 75–80°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum tank: 30 gal
With care: 22
Avoid: 14

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

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive. Kribensis hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
Honey gourami Kribensis are much bigger and pushier than honey gouramis, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.
Bala shark Bala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for kribensis.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive. Kribensis hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
Tinfoil barb Tinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for kribensis.
Rainbow shark Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
Chinese algae eater Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
Amano shrimp Kribensis will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
Red tail shark Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
African cichlid Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, kribensis want pH 6–7.5.
Apistogramma Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Firemouth cichlid Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
Gold barb They only share 75°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: kribensis want pH 6–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Bamboo shrimp Kribensis will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast kribensis will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Common pleco Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
Zebra pleco They only share 79–80°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Peacock cichlid Different water: kribensis want pH 6–7.5, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.
Hillstream loach They only share 75°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
German blue ram They only share 80°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); kribensis need 75–80°F. No temperature suits both.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches kribensis do.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); kribensis need 75–80°F. No temperature suits both.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches kribensis do.
Cherry shrimp A kribensis is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, kribensis need 75–80°F.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches kribensis do.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches kribensis do.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches kribensis do.
Koi Koi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); kribensis need 75–80°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); kribensis need 75–80°F. No temperature suits both.
Ghost shrimp A kribensis is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); kribensis need 75–80°F. No temperature suits both.
Flowerhorn An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches kribensis do.

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

Questions

What are the best tank mates for kribensis?

Bettas, Angelfish, Tiger barbs, Guppies, Congo tetras. They share kribensis' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with kribensis?

Axolotls, Oscars, Goldfish, Jack dempseys, Cherry shrimp. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); kribensis need 75–80°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.