How do I use a fish compatibility chart?
Written by
John Williams
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Fish Compatibility Chart: It saves lives in your aquarium! This chart can help you identify which species can cohabitate safely, thus saving you from stocking your aquarium with predatory fish that may go for the kill and eat the smaller companions in the same tank.
Find your main fish species listed along the vertical axis of the chart. Then find possible companions along the horizontal axis. Trace their row and column to where they intersect. The combined sections will indicate your compatibility status using color coding. Green means safe. Orange means common sense is needed. Red means do not mix.
Color Code Meanings
- Green: Safe pairing without special conditions
- Orange: Possible with extra space and hiding spots
- Red: Highly dangerous combination to avoid
Reverse Pairing Check
- Always verify both directions on the chart
- Species A may tolerate B while B attacks A
- Example: Tetras ignore guppies but guppies nip tetra fins
Make your adjustments for orange-rated pairings. A 20% increase in your tank size above the minimum is recommended, along with an increase in plant density and cave structures. Pair up your territories with visual barriers. Your fish shall be fed in their own area. These compensations enable even the most challenging matings of all the desired combinations of fish to be successful.
Monitor new pairings and observe them for at least 72 hours. Take note of chasing and hiding behaviours. Daily check to see if any fins are strained or torn. Remove the aggressive fish immediately if this occurs. Charts are only guides, but if you conduct the 'real' observation, you will know the true compatibility of your pairings in your system.
Read the full article: Fish Compatibility Chart Ultimate Guide
