Care Guide8 min readUpdated 1 August 2026
Aquarium Fish Compatibility Chart for Indian Homes
Choose peaceful tank mates by temperament, adult size, temperature and water needs-not appearance alone.
Fish compatibility is not a simple yes-or-no list. Two species may share the same temperature but differ in temperament, swimming space, group size or feeding behaviour. Use this guide as a starting point, then check the adult size and needs of the exact variety you plan to buy.
Quick Freshwater Fish Compatibility Chart
| Fish | Usually suitable tank mates | Avoid | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guppy | Molly, platy, swordtail, peaceful tetra, corydoras | Large cichlids, fin nippers | Keep stable warm water and more females than males |
| Molly | Platy, swordtail, guppy, larger peaceful tetra | Aggressive cichlids | Prefers harder, mineral-rich water |
| Neon tetra | Other small tetras, rasbora, corydoras, honey gourami | Goldfish, oscar, large angelfish | Keep at least 6; 10 or more is better |
| Betta | Snails and some peaceful bottom dwellers | Other male bettas, fin nippers, many gouramis | Compatibility depends strongly on individual temperament |
| Angelfish | Medium peaceful fish too large to swallow | Tiny tetra, fin-nipping barbs, aggressive cichlids | Adult angelfish may eat very small fish |
| Goldfish | Other similar-sized goldfish | Most tropical fish, betta, pleco in small tanks | Cold-water fish with high waste output |
| African cichlid | Compatible African cichlids with planned stocking | Community fish, long-finned fish | Needs specialist rockwork, filtration and stocking |
| Corydoras | Most peaceful community fish | Large predators | Keep in groups of 6+ on smooth sand or fine substrate |
Four Checks Before Mixing Fish
- Compare temperature and pH ranges. Fish that merely survive the same water are not necessarily thriving.
- Use adult size, not shop size. A small oscar or angelfish can become a predator as it grows.
- Respect schooling needs. Tetras, rasboras and corydoras become stressed or aggressive when kept alone or in very small groups.
- Check swimming zones and tank capacity. Surface, middle and bottom swimmers use space differently, but filtration must still support the total waste load.
Common Compatibility Mistakes
- Keeping goldfish with tropical fish because both are described as beginner-friendly.
- Adding a second male betta or mixing bettas with bright, long-finned fish.
- Buying one schooling fish of several species instead of a proper group of one species.
- Treating algae eaters as maintenance tools without checking their adult size and diet.
- Overstocking a new aquarium before its biological filter is established.
๐กTell our chat assistant your tank dimensions, current fish, filter and water temperature. It can check the current catalogue and suggest safer additions.