Tank mates for boesemani rainbowfish
We checked boesemani rainbowfish against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.
Good tank mates for boesemani rainbowfish include betta fish, dwarf gourami, angelfish, ember tetra, cardinal tetra and glowlight tetra. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: boesemani rainbowfish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Boesemani rainbowfish: 26–29°C (79–84°F), pH 7–8, adult size 10 cm (3.9 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full boesemani rainbowfish care guide.
Good Compatible tank mates (37)
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
Common pleco
40 cm (15.7 in) · 150+ gal
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 15+ gal
Bala shark
30 cm (11.8 in) · 230+ gal · groups of 5+
Cardinal tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Clown loach
25 cm (9.8 in) · 180+ gal · groups of 5+
Ember tetra
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 8+
Firemouth cichlid
13 cm (5.1 in) · 29+ gal
German blue ram
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal
Glowlight tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Pearl gourami
11.5 cm (4.5 in) · 29+ 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+
Sterbai corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
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
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal
Black ghost knifefish
45 cm (17.7 in) · 125+ gal
Black phantom tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Clown pleco
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Cockatoo cichlid
7.5 cm (3 in) · 20+ gal
Diamond tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Dwarf chain loach
6 cm (2.4 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Endler's livebearer
3 cm (1.2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Kissing gourami
20 cm (7.9 in) · 75+ gal
Marbled hatchetfish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Penguin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Rabbit snail
8 cm (3.1 in) · 29+ gal
Red rainbowfish
12 cm (4.7 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Ropefish
35 cm (13.8 in) · 75+ gal
Rosy tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
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+
Zebra pleco
8 cm (3.1 in) · 20+ gal
Moonlight gourami
14 cm (5.5 in) · 29+ gal
Caution Possible, with care (69)
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 26–26°C).
- Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Guppy · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Nerite snail · 5+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Tiger barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Tiger barb nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like boesemani rainbowfish.
- African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Boesemani rainbowfish hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Assassin snail · 5+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase boesemani rainbowfish, which use the same area.
- Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Boesemani rainbowfish hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Malaysian trumpet snail · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Molly · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Mystery snail · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Ramshorn snail · 5+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Senegal bichir may eat boesemani rainbowfish, especially young or small ones.
- Senegal bichir is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller boesemani rainbowfish.
- Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Boesemani rainbowfish hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Congo tetra · 40+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Glass catfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Severum · 55+ gal
- Severum defends its patch of the tank and may chase boesemani rainbowfish, which use the same area.
- Swordtail · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Boesemani rainbowfish may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
- Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Upside-down catfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Boesemani rainbowfish hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (7–8 vs 5–6.5).
- Flame tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (7–8 vs 5–6.5).
- Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
Avoid Bad tank mates (43)
- Cherry shrimp: Boesemani rainbowfish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Neon tetra: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), neon tetra 21–25°C (70–77°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat boesemani rainbowfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Panda corydoras: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), panda corydoras 21–25°C (70–77°F).
- Zebra danio: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F).
- Celestial pearl danio: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), celestial pearl danio 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish.
- Denison barb: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), denison barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°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. Boesemani rainbowfish don't belong in that setup.
- Hillstream loach: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F).
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish.
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish. 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. Boesemani rainbowfish don't belong in that setup.
- Peppered corydoras: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), peppered corydoras 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- Pictus catfish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), pictus catfish 22–25°C (72–77°F).
- Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish. 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. Boesemani rainbowfish don't belong in that setup.
- Rosy barb: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), rosy barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
- White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
- Buenos Aires tetra: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), buenos Aires tetra 18–25°C (64–77°F).
- Crystal red shrimp: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), crystal red shrimp 20–24°C (68–75°F). Boesemani rainbowfish eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
- Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish. 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. Boesemani rainbowfish don't belong in that setup.
- Dwarf orange crayfish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), dwarf orange crayfish 18–24°C (64–75°F).
- Frontosa: Frontosa can eat boesemani rainbowfish: 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. Boesemani rainbowfish don't belong in that setup.
- Gardneri killifish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), gardneri killifish 21–25°C (70–77°F).
- Giant danio: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), giant danio 21–25°C (70–77°F).
- Gold barb: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), gold barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
- Green terror: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), green terror 20–24°C (68–75°F). Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish.
- Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish.
- Odessa barb: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), odessa barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- Panda garra: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), panda garra 22–25°C (72–77°F).
- Paradise fish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F).
- Rubber lip pleco: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), rubber lip pleco 21–25°C (70–77°F).
- Scissortail rasbora: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), scissortail rasbora 22–25°C (72–77°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. Boesemani rainbowfish don't belong in that setup.
- Turquoise rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), turquoise rainbowfish 22–25°C (72–77°F).
- Checkerboard barb: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), checkerboard barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- Glowlight danio: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), glowlight danio 20–24°C (68–75°F).
- Pearl danio: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), pearl danio 20–25°C (68–77°F).
- Variatus platy: They need different temperatures: Boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F), variatus platy 18–25°C (64–77°F).
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with boesemani rainbowfish?
Good tank mates for boesemani rainbowfish include betta fish, dwarf gourami, angelfish, ember tetra, cardinal tetra and glowlight tetra. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat boesemani rainbowfish.
Can boesemani rainbowfish live with angelfish?
Yes. They share similar water needs (26–29°C (79–84°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can boesemani rainbowfish live with bettas?
Yes. They share similar water needs (26–28°C (79–82°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can boesemani rainbowfish live with bristlenose plecos?
Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
Can boesemani rainbowfish live with bronze corydoras?
Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
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.