Tank mates for african butterfly fish

We checked african butterfly fish against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for african butterfly fish include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, angelfish, assassin snail and ramshorn snail. Avoid betta fish, cherry shrimp and common goldfish: betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals.

African butterfly fish: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 11 cm (4.3 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full african butterfly fish care guide.

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Good Compatible tank mates (43)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (62)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase dwarf gouramis, which use the same area.
- Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase african butterfly fish, which use the same area.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat guppies, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller guppies.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase guppies, which use the same area.
Oscar · 75+ gal
- Oscar may eat african butterfly fish, especially young or small ones.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish may eat panda corydoras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish may eat zebra danios, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- African butterfly fish hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Black skirt tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat cherry barbs, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cherry barbs.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. African butterfly fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Convict cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- Convict cichlid is aggressive. African butterfly fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Denison barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- African butterfly fish hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat harlequin rasboras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat honey gouramis, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller honey gouramis.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase honey gouramis, which use the same area.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. African butterfly fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl gouramis, which use the same area.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rosy barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat rummy-nose tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rummy-nose tetras.
Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Senegal bichir sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase three spot gouramis, which use the same area.
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase african butterfly fish, which use the same area.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat x-ray tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Yoyo loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
- Bleeding heart tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat bloodfin tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bloodfin tetras.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase bloodfin tetras, which use the same area.
- Bloodfin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Diamond tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- African butterfly fish may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
- Dwarf orange crayfish sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat emperor tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emperor tetras.
Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat forktail blue-eyes, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller forktail blue-eyes.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase forktail blue-eyes, which use the same area.
Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase giant danios, which use the same area.
- Giant danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Gold barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase golden wonder killifish, which use the same area.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Green terror is aggressive. African butterfly fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat head and tail light tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Jewel cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- Jewel cichlid is aggressive. African butterfly fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat lemon tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Odessa barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat penguin tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller penguin tetras.
- Penguin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase scissortail rasboras, which use the same area.
Swordtail · 29+ gal
- Swordtail sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- African butterfly fish may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Zebra loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Black ruby barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish may eat checkerboard barbs, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller checkerboard barbs.
Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase moonlight gouramis, which use the same area.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl danios, which use the same area.
- Pearl danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish may eat silvertip tetras, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
- Silvertip tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase thick-lipped gouramis, which use the same area.
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (44)

Betta fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals.
Cherry shrimp: African butterfly fish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: African butterfly fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: African butterfly fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Neon tetra: African butterfly fish can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of african butterfly fish.
African dwarf frog: African butterfly fish can eat African dwarf frogs.
Cardinal tetra: African butterfly fish can eat cardinal tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Celestial pearl danio: African butterfly fish can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Chili rasbora: African butterfly fish can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: African butterfly fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. African butterfly fish don't belong in that setup.
Ember tetra: African butterfly fish can eat ember tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Glowlight tetra: African butterfly fish can eat glowlight tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Otocinclus: African butterfly fish can eat otocinclus: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Pea puffer: African butterfly fish can eat pea puffers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Pea puffer is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of african butterfly fish. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. African butterfly fish don't belong in that setup.
Pygmy corydoras: African butterfly fish can eat pygmy corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. African butterfly fish don't belong in that setup.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: African butterfly fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F). African butterfly fish can eat white cloud mountain minnows: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Black neon tetra: African butterfly fish can eat black neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Black phantom tetra: African butterfly fish can eat black phantom tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Buenos Aires tetra: Buenos Aires tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of african butterfly fish.
Clown killifish: African butterfly fish can eat clown killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Crystal red shrimp: African butterfly fish eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. African butterfly fish don't belong in that setup.
Endler's livebearer: African butterfly fish can eat Endler's livebearers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Frontosa: Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. African butterfly fish don't belong in that setup.
Kubotai rasbora: African butterfly fish can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Lambchop rasbora: African butterfly fish can eat lambchop rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Marbled hatchetfish: African butterfly fish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Paradise fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals.
Rosy loach: African butterfly fish can eat rosy loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Rosy tetra: African butterfly fish can eat rosy tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Scarlet badis: African butterfly fish can eat scarlet badis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Serpae tetra: Serpae tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of african butterfly fish.
Shell dweller cichlid: African butterfly fish can eat shell dweller cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. African butterfly fish don't belong in that setup.
Sparkling gourami: African butterfly fish can eat sparkling gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Threadfin rainbowfish: African butterfly fish can eat threadfin rainbowfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Dwarf rasbora: African butterfly fish can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Flame tetra: African butterfly fish can eat flame tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Glowlight danio: African butterfly fish can eat glowlight danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Green neon tetra: African butterfly fish can eat green neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Least killifish: African butterfly fish can eat least killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with african butterfly fish?

Good tank mates for african butterfly fish include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, angelfish, assassin snail and ramshorn snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat african butterfly fish.

Can african butterfly fish live with angelfish?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–28°C (75–82°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can african butterfly fish live with bettas?

No. Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals. African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase bettas, which use the same area.

Can african butterfly fish live with bristlenose plecos?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can african butterfly fish live with bronze corydoras?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.

Good Compatible tank mates (43)

Angelfish

Bristlenose pleco

Bronze corydoras

Common pleco

Nerite snail

Assassin snail

Bala shark

Blood parrot cichlid

Boesemani rainbowfish

Dwarf neon rainbowfish

Electric blue acara

Firemouth cichlid

Julii corydoras

Kuhli loach

Malaysian trumpet snail

Molly

Mystery snail

Platy

Rainbow shark

Ramshorn snail

Red-tail shark

Siamese algae eater

Silver dollar

Sterbai corydoras

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Black ghost knifefish

Bolivian ram

Bumblebee catfish

Clown pleco

Cockatoo cichlid

Congo tetra

Emerald green corydoras

Glass catfish

Kissing gourami

Peacock gudgeon

Rabbit snail

Red rainbowfish

Ropefish

Severum

Tinfoil barb

Upside-down catfish

Zebra pleco

Keyhole cichlid

Caution Possible, with care (62)

Avoid Bad tank mates (44)

Frequently asked questions