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.
💡Tell our chat assistant your tank dimensions, current fish, filter and water temperature. It can check the current catalogue and suggest safer additions.