Tank mates for marbled hatchetfish
We checked marbled hatchetfish against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.
Good tank mates for marbled hatchetfish include cherry shrimp, nerite snail, guppy, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras and assassin snail. Avoid angelfish, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: angelfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Marbled hatchetfish: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 5–7, adult size 3.5 cm (1.4 in), minimum tank 20 gallons (76 L). Full marbled hatchetfish care guide.
Good Compatible tank mates (76)
Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 20+ gal
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 5+ gal · groups of 10+
Common pleco
40 cm (15.7 in) · 150+ gal
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
Amano shrimp
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
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+
Ghost shrimp
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
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+
Honey gourami
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal
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+
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal
Otocinclus
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Pearl gourami
11.5 cm (4.5 in) · 29+ gal
Platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+
Pygmy corydoras
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 5+ gal
Rummy-nose tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 10+
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+
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal
Bamboo shrimp
8 cm (3.1 in) · 20+ gal
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+
Bolivian ram
8 cm (3.1 in) · 29+ gal
Clown killifish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+
Clown pleco
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Congo tetra
8 cm (3.1 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Diamond tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Dwarf chain loach
6 cm (2.4 in) · 29+ 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+
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+
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+
Thai micro crab
1 cm (0.4 in) · 5+ gal · groups of 5+
Threadfin rainbowfish
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Upside-down catfish
9.5 cm (3.7 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 4+
Vampire shrimp
10 cm (3.9 in) · 20+ gal
Zebra loach
9 cm (3.5 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 5+
Zebra pleco
8 cm (3.1 in) · 20+ gal
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+
Moonlight gourami
14 cm (5.5 in) · 29+ gal
Silvertip tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Thick-lipped gourami
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Caution Possible, with care (44)
These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.
- Betta fish · 5+ gal
- Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
- Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
- 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 marbled hatchetfish.
- Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat marbled hatchetfish, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- 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 marbled hatchetfish 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).
- Discus grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
- Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid may eat marbled hatchetfish, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
- 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.
- Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Molly · 29+ gal
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (5–7 vs 7.5–8.5).
- One prefers soft water and the other hard water (GH 2–10 vs 15–30 dGH).
- Mystery snail · 10+ gal
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (5–7 vs 7.2–8).
- Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
- Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Red-tail shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- 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.
- Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Siamese algae eater grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
- Silver dollar · 75+ gal
- Silver dollar may eat marbled hatchetfish, especially young or small ones.
- Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, 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 marbled hatchetfish.
- Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Crystal red shrimp · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- 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.
- 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 marbled hatchetfish.
- Kissing gourami grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
- 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.
- Paradise fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
- Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (5–7 vs 7.5–8.5).
- 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).
- Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
- Serpae tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like marbled hatchetfish.
- Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- 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).
- Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- 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 (29)
- Angelfish: Angelfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Marbled hatchetfish 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F). Common goldfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Marbled hatchetfish 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bala shark: Bala shark can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish.
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Marbled hatchetfish 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Electric blue acara: Electric blue acara can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- 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. Marbled hatchetfish don't belong in that setup.
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish.
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish. 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. Marbled hatchetfish don't belong in that setup.
- Pictus catfish: Pictus catfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish. 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. Marbled hatchetfish don't belong in that setup.
- Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Marbled hatchetfish 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
- African butterfly fish: African butterfly fish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Black ghost knifefish: Black ghost knifefish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bumblebee catfish: Bumblebee catfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish. 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. Marbled hatchetfish don't belong in that setup.
- Frontosa: They need very different water: pH 5–7 vs 8–9. Frontosa can eat marbled hatchetfish: 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. Marbled hatchetfish don't belong in that setup.
- Golden wonder killifish: Golden wonder killifish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Green terror: Green terror can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish.
- Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish.
- Ropefish: Ropefish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Severum: Severum can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- 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. Marbled hatchetfish don't belong in that setup.
- Tinfoil barb: Tinfoil barb can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with marbled hatchetfish?
Good tank mates for marbled hatchetfish include cherry shrimp, nerite snail, guppy, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras and assassin snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat marbled hatchetfish.
Can marbled hatchetfish live with angelfish?
No. Angelfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
Can marbled hatchetfish live with bettas?
Sometimes, with care. Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
Can marbled hatchetfish live with bristlenose plecos?
Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can marbled hatchetfish 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.