Paradise fish tank mates

Good matches

64 of 98

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

Tough, pushy and fine in cooler water. Males fight each other.

Temperature: 61–79°F
pH: 6–8
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum tank: 20 gal
With care: 13
Avoid: 21

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

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive. Paradise fish hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small paradise fish. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Amano shrimp Paradise fish will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog Paradise fish nip at slow fish. African dwarf frogs cannot get away.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive. Paradise fish hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
Bamboo shrimp Paradise fish will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.
Elephant nose fish Paradise fish nip at slow fish. Elephant nose fish cannot get away.
Bala shark Bala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for paradise fish.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for paradise fish.
Tinfoil barb Tinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for paradise fish.
Blood parrot Paradise fish nip at slow fish. Blood parrots cannot get away.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive. Paradise fish hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.

Avoid

Betta Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Axolotl Fish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.
Cherry shrimp A paradise fish is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
Angelfish Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Ghost shrimp A paradise fish is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.
Fancy goldfish Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of fancy goldfish are an easy target.
Guppy Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
Kissing gourami Paradise fish and kissing gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
Honey gourami Paradise fish and honey gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.
Sparkling gourami Paradise fish and sparkling gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
Blue gourami Paradise fish and blue gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
Dwarf gourami Paradise fish and dwarf gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, paradise fish need 61–79°F.
Pearl gourami Paradise fish and pearl gouramis are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, paradise fish need 61–79°F.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, paradise fish need 61–79°F.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.

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

Questions

What are the best tank mates for paradise fish?

Goldfish, Crayfish, Corydoras, Rosy barbs, Gold barbs. They share paradise fish' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with paradise fish?

Bettas, Axolotls, Cherry shrimp, Angelfish, Ghost shrimp. Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

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.