Tank mates for Agassiz's dwarf cichlids
We checked Agassiz's dwarf cichlids against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.
Good tank mates for Agassiz's dwarf cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, guppy, dwarf gourami, angelfish and tiger barb. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: agassiz's dwarf cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Agassiz's dwarf cichlids: 25–29°C (77–84°F), pH 5–7, adult size 7 cm (2.8 in), minimum tank 20 gallons (76 L). Full agassiz's dwarf cichlid care guide.
Good Compatible tank mates (46)
Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 29+ gal
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 5+ gal
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 15+ gal
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 8+
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
Bala shark
30 cm (11.8 in) · 230+ gal · groups of 5+
Blood parrot cichlid
20 cm (7.9 in) · 55+ gal
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+
Dwarf neon rainbowfish
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
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
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal
Pearl gourami
11.5 cm (4.5 in) · 29+ gal
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 5+ gal
Rummy-nose tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 10+
Silver dollar
15 cm (5.9 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 5+
Three spot gourami
12 cm (4.7 in) · 29+ gal
X-ray tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
African butterfly fish
11 cm (4.3 in) · 29+ 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+
Congo tetra
8 cm (3.1 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Diamond tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Emperor tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Forktail blue-eye
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Head and tail light tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Kissing gourami
20 cm (7.9 in) · 75+ gal
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+
Marbled hatchetfish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Penguin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Red rainbowfish
12 cm (4.7 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Rosy tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Severum
20 cm (7.9 in) · 55+ gal
Sparkling gourami
3.8 cm (1.5 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
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+
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 (80)
These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.
- Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area.
- Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
- Common pleco · 150+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase common plecos, which use the same area.
- Common pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda corydoras, which use the same area.
- Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase African dwarf frogs, which use the same area.
- Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller celestial pearl danios.
- Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller chili rasboras.
- Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Chinese algae eater defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
- Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase convict cichlids, which use the same area.
- Convict cichlid is aggressive. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Convict cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
- Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase electric blue acaras, which use the same area.
- Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Ember tetra · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller ember tetras.
- Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase German blue rams, which use the same area.
- German blue ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Jack Dempseys, which use the same area.
- Jack Dempsey may eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, especially young or small ones.
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Jack Dempsey defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase julii corydoras, which use the same area.
- Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kribensis, which use the same area.
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kuhli loaches, which use the same area.
- 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 1–10 vs 15–30 dGH).
- Mystery snail · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (5–7 vs 7.2–8).
- Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peppered corydoras, which use the same area.
- Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase pictus catfish, which use the same area.
- Platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pygmy corydoras.
- Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase red-tail sharks, which use the same area.
- Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase siamese algae eaters, which use the same area.
- Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase sterbai corydoras, which use the same area.
- Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase yoyo loaches, which use the same area.
- Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Bolivian rams, which use the same area.
- Bolivian ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bumblebee catfish, which use the same area.
- Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown plecos, which use the same area.
- Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
- Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase emerald green corydoras, which use the same area.
- Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
- Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Glass catfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Jewel cichlid is aggressive. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kubotai rasboras.
- Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda garras, which use the same area.
- Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peacock gudgeons, which use the same area.
- Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (5–7 vs 7.5–8.5).
- Ropefish · 75+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase ropefish, which use the same area.
- Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy loaches.
- Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase rubber lip plecos, which use the same area.
- Rubber lip pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller scarlet badis.
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase scarlet badis, which use the same area.
- Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Swordtail · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
- Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Tinfoil barb may eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, especially young or small ones.
- Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra loaches, which use the same area.
- Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
- Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf rasboras.
- Flame tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
- Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller green neon tetras.
- Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller least killifish.
- Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Avoid Bad tank mates (23)
- Cherry shrimp: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°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. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Hillstream loach: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F).
- Pea puffer: 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. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- 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. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Rosy barb: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), rosy barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
- Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
- Black ghost knifefish: Black ghost knifefish can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Crystal red shrimp: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), crystal red shrimp 20–24°C (68–75°F). Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 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. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Dwarf orange crayfish: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), dwarf orange crayfish 18–24°C (64–75°F).
- Frontosa: They need very different water: pH 5–7 vs 8–9. Frontosa can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids: 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. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Gold barb: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), gold barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
- Green terror: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), green terror 20–24°C (68–75°F).
- Paradise fish: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F).
- 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. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Glowlight danio: They need different temperatures: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F), glowlight danio 20–24°C (68–75°F).
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with Agassiz's dwarf cichlids?
Good tank mates for Agassiz's dwarf cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, guppy, dwarf gourami, angelfish and tiger barb. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlids.
Can Agassiz's dwarf cichlids live with angelfish?
Yes. They share similar water needs (25–29°C (77–84°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can Agassiz's dwarf cichlids live with bettas?
Yes. They share similar water needs (25–28°C (77–82°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can Agassiz's dwarf cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?
Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C). Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area.
Can Agassiz's dwarf cichlids live with bronze corydoras?
Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C). Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
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.