Tank mates for dwarf chain loaches
We checked dwarf chain loaches against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.
Good tank mates for dwarf chain loaches include bronze corydoras, african dwarf frog, chili rasbora, ember tetra, pygmy corydoras and cardinal tetra. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: dwarf chain loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Dwarf chain loaches: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 6 cm (2.4 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full dwarf chain loach care guide.
Good Compatible tank mates (59)
Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
Black skirt tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Boesemani rainbowfish
10 cm (3.9 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Cardinal tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Cherry barb
5 cm (2 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Chili rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Dwarf neon rainbowfish
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Ember tetra
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 8+
Glowlight tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Harlequin rasbora
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Julii corydoras
5.5 cm (2.2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Kuhli loach
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Molly
10 cm (3.9 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 3+
Otocinclus
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+
Pygmy corydoras
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Rummy-nose tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 10+
Siamese algae eater
15 cm (5.9 in) · 55+ gal
Silver dollar
15 cm (5.9 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 5+
Sterbai corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
X-ray tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Yoyo loach
13 cm (5.1 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 5+
Black neon tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Black phantom tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Bleeding heart tetra
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 8+
Bloodfin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Bumblebee catfish
7.5 cm (3 in) · 20+ gal
Clown killifish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+
Clown pleco
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Diamond tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Emerald green corydoras
8 cm (3.1 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Emperor tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Endler's livebearer
3 cm (1.2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Forktail blue-eye
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Glass catfish
7 cm (2.8 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Golden wonder killifish
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Head and tail light tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Kubotai rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 10+
Lambchop rasbora
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Lemon tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Marbled hatchetfish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Peacock gudgeon
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 2+
Penguin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Red rainbowfish
12 cm (4.7 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Rosy loach
2.5 cm (1 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Rosy tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Scarlet badis
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal
Sparkling gourami
3.8 cm (1.5 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
Swordtail
12 cm (4.7 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 4+
Upside-down catfish
9.5 cm (3.7 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 4+
Zebra loach
9 cm (3.5 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 5+
Black ruby barb
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Dwarf rasbora
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Flame tetra
3 cm (1.2 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Green neon tetra
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Keyhole cichlid
10 cm (3.9 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 2+
Least killifish
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+
Silvertip tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Caution Possible, with care (62)
These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.
- Angelfish · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Betta fish · 5+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
- Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
- Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Common pleco · 150+ gal
- Common pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
- Guppy · 10+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
- Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Tiger barb · 29+ gal
- Tiger barb nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like dwarf chain loaches.
- Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Bala shark · 230+ gal
- Bala shark may eat dwarf chain loaches, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Clown loach grows much larger than dwarf chain loaches and may swallow them as it grows.
- Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
- Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Electric blue acara may eat dwarf chain loaches, especially young or small ones.
- Electric blue acara is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
- German blue ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- 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
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of honey gouramis are an easy target.
- Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of pearl gouramis are an easy target.
- 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).
- Pictus catfish may eat dwarf chain loaches, especially young or small ones.
- Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- 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.
- Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
- African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Bolivian ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Buenos Aires tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like dwarf chain loaches.
- Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Congo tetra · 40+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of Congo tetras 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.
- Dwarf chain loach may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
- 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).
- 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.
- Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
- Kissing gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Paradise fish · 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.
- Ropefish · 75+ gal
- Ropefish may eat dwarf chain loaches, especially young or small ones.
- Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Rubber lip pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
- Serpae tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like dwarf chain loaches.
- Severum · 55+ gal
- Severum may eat dwarf chain loaches, especially young or small ones.
- Severum is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
- Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of threadfin rainbowfish are an easy target.
- Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of moonlight gouramis are an easy target.
- Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of thick-lipped gouramis are an easy target.
- 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 (28)
- Cherry shrimp: Dwarf chain loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf chain loach 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf chain loach 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Nerite snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including nerite snails.
- Oscar: Oscar can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Assassin snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including assassin snails.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches.
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Dwarf chain loach 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. Dwarf chain loaches don't belong in that setup.
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches.
- Malaysian trumpet snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
- Mystery snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including mystery snails.
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches. 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. Dwarf chain loaches don't belong in that setup.
- Ramshorn snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including ramshorn snails.
- Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches. 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. Dwarf chain loaches don't belong in that setup.
- Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Dwarf chain loach 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
- Black ghost knifefish: Black ghost knifefish can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Crystal red shrimp: Dwarf chain loach eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
- Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches. 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. Dwarf chain loaches don't belong in that setup.
- Frontosa: Frontosa can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. 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. Dwarf chain loaches don't belong in that setup.
- Green terror: Green terror can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches.
- Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches.
- Rabbit snail: Dwarf chain loach eats snails, including rabbit snails.
- Shell dweller cichlid: 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. Dwarf chain loaches don't belong in that setup.
- Tinfoil barb: Tinfoil barb can eat dwarf chain loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with dwarf chain loaches?
Good tank mates for dwarf chain loaches include bronze corydoras, african dwarf frog, chili rasbora, ember tetra, pygmy corydoras and cardinal tetra. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat dwarf chain loaches.
Can dwarf chain loaches live with angelfish?
Sometimes, with care. Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target. Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
Can dwarf chain loaches live with bettas?
Sometimes, with care. Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Can dwarf chain loaches live with bristlenose plecos?
Sometimes, with care. Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
Can dwarf chain loaches 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.