Tank mates for paradise fish

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

Good tank mates for paradise fish include panda corydoras, bronze corydoras, platy, white cloud mountain minnow, hillstream loach and otocinclus. Avoid angelfish, betta fish and cherry shrimp: paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.

Paradise fish: 16–24°C (61–75°F), pH 6–8, adult size 8 cm (3.1 in), minimum tank 20 gallons (76 L). Full paradise fish care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (18)

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

Caution Possible, with care (85)

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

  • Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Common pleco · 150+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Neon tetra · 15+ gal
    • Paradise fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
  • Tiger barb · 29+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Zebra danio · 20+ gal
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
  • African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
    • 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 African dwarf frogs.
  • Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Paradise fish hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Bala shark · 230+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ 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.
  • Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Cherry barb · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Paradise fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Convict cichlid · 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.
    • Convict cichlid is aggressive. Paradise fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Firemouth cichlid · 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.
  • Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Paradise fish hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Glowlight tetra · 15+ 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.
  • Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Paradise fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Kribensis · 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.
  • Kuhli 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.
  • Molly · 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.
  • Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Rummy-nose tetra · 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
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Silver dollar · 75+ 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.
  • Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • X-ray tetra · 15+ 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.
  • Yoyo loach · 75+ 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.
  • Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Paradise fish hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black ghost knifefish · 125+ 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.
    • Black ghost knifefish may eat paradise fish, especially young or small ones.
  • Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase bloodfin tetras, which use the same area.
  • Bolivian ram · 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.
  • Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Clown killifish · 10+ gal
    • 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 clown killifish.
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase clown killifish, which use the same area.
  • Clown pleco · 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.
  • Cockatoo cichlid · 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.
  • Diamond tetra · 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.
  • Dwarf chain loach · 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.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
    • Paradise fish may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
  • Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Endler's livebearer · 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.
    • Paradise fish may eat Endler's livebearers, especially young or small ones.
    • Paradise fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase Endler's livebearers, which use the same area.
  • Forktail blue-eye · 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 defends its patch of the tank and may chase forktail blue-eyes, which use the same area.
  • Giant danio · 55+ gal
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase giant danios, which use the same area.
  • Glass catfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase golden wonder killifish, which use the same area.
  • Green terror · 80+ gal
    • Green terror is aggressive. Paradise fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Jewel cichlid · 40+ 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.
    • Jewel cichlid is aggressive. Paradise fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Kissing gourami · 75+ 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.
  • Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°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 lambchop rasboras.
  • Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Marbled hatchetfish · 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.
  • Panda garra · 29+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Red rainbowfish · 40+ 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
    • 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 tetra · 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.
  • Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase scissortail rasboras, which use the same area.
  • Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Severum · 55+ 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.
  • Sparkling gourami · 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.
    • Paradise fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sparkling gouramis.
  • Swordtail · 29+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Paradise fish may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
  • Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Upside-down catfish · 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.
  • Vampire shrimp · 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 hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Zebra loach · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Flame tetra · 15+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Paradise fish may eat flame tetras, especially young or small ones.
    • Paradise fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
  • Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
    • Paradise fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
  • Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Pearl danio · 20+ gal
    • Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl danios, which use the same area.
  • Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (46)

  • Angelfish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Betta fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like bettas, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Cherry shrimp: Paradise fish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
  • Dwarf gourami: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Fancy goldfish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like fancy goldfish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Guppy: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like guppies, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Nerite snail: Paradise fish eats snails, including nerite snails.
  • Oscar: Oscar can eat paradise fish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Assassin snail: Paradise fish eats snails, including assassin snails.
  • Boesemani rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F).
  • Celestial pearl danio: Paradise fish can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Chili rasbora: Paradise fish can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Clown loach: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F).
  • Discus: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°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. Paradise fish don't belong in that setup.
  • Ember tetra: Paradise fish can eat ember tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).
  • Honey gourami: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like honey gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Malaysian trumpet snail: Paradise fish eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
  • Mystery snail: Paradise fish eats snails, including mystery snails.
  • Pea puffer: Paradise fish can eat pea puffers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. 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. Paradise fish don't belong in that setup.
  • Pearl gourami: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like pearl gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Pygmy corydoras: Paradise fish can eat pygmy corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Ramshorn snail: Paradise fish eats snails, including ramshorn snails.
  • 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. Paradise fish don't belong in that setup.
  • Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat paradise fish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Three spot gourami: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like three spot gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • African butterfly fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F).
  • Congo tetra: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like Congo tetras, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Crystal red shrimp: Paradise 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. Paradise fish don't belong in that setup.
  • Frontosa: Frontosa can eat paradise fish: 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. Paradise fish don't belong in that setup.
  • Kubotai rasbora: Paradise fish can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Rabbit snail: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), rabbit snail 25–29°C (77–84°F). Paradise fish eats snails, including rabbit snails.
  • Rosy loach: Paradise fish can eat rosy loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Scarlet badis: Paradise fish can eat scarlet badis: 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. Paradise fish don't belong in that setup.
  • Threadfin rainbowfish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like threadfin rainbowfish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Zebra pleco: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F).
  • Dwarf rasbora: Paradise fish can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Green neon tetra: Paradise fish can eat green neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Least killifish: Paradise fish can eat least killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Moonlight gourami: They need different temperatures: Paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F), moonlight gourami 25–29°C (77–84°F). Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like moonlight gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Thick-lipped gourami: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like thick-lipped gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with paradise fish?

Good tank mates for paradise fish include panda corydoras, bronze corydoras, platy, white cloud mountain minnow, hillstream loach and otocinclus. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat paradise fish.

Can paradise fish live with angelfish?

No. Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).

Can paradise fish live with bettas?

No. Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like bettas, mistaking them for rivals. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).

Can paradise fish live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Can paradise fish live with bronze corydoras?

Yes. They share similar water needs (21–24°C (70–75°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.