Tank mates for chinese algae eaters

We checked chinese algae eaters against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for chinese algae eaters include nerite snail, oscar, assassin snail, ramshorn snail, malaysian trumpet snail and mystery snail. Avoid bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras and cherry shrimp: chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bristlenose plecos.

Chinese algae eaters: 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6.5–7.5, adult size 25 cm (9.8 in), minimum tank 80 gallons (303 L). Full chinese algae eater care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (8)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (30)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

  • Angelfish · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Angelfish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Betta fish · 5+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Tiger barb · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Tiger barbs can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Blood parrot cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater defends its patch of the bottom and may chase convict cichlids, which use the same area.
    • Convict cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Electric blue acaras 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 electric blue acaras, which use the same area.
    • Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
    • Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Jack Dempseys, which use the same area.
    • Jack Dempsey defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Kribensis · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
    • Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Rainbow sharks 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
    • Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Red-tail sharks 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 red-tail sharks, which use the same area.
    • Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Senegal bichirs, which use the same area.
  • Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Three spot gouramis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. African butterfly fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
    • 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.
    • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Buenos Aires tetras can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Cockatoo 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 cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
    • Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Chinese algae eater may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
  • Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Gardneri killifish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Golden wonder killifish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Kissing gouramis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Paradise fish · 20+ gal
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Paradise fish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
  • Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Serpae tetras can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Severum · 55+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Severums can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
  • Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.

Avoid Bad tank mates (111)

  • Bristlenose pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bristlenose plecos.
  • Bronze corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bronze corydoras.
  • Cherry shrimp: Chinese algae eater eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
  • Common goldfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful common goldfish.
  • Common pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful common plecos.
  • Dwarf gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
  • Fancy goldfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful fancy goldfish.
  • Guppy: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful guppies.
  • Neon tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful neon tetras.
  • Panda corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful panda corydoras.
  • Zebra danio: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios.
  • African dwarf frog: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful African dwarf frogs.
  • Bala shark: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bala sharks.
  • Black skirt tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful black skirt tetras.
  • Boesemani rainbowfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful boesemani rainbowfish.
  • Cardinal tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful cardinal tetras.
  • Celestial pearl danio: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful celestial pearl danios.
  • Cherry barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful cherry barbs.
  • Chili rasbora: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful chili rasboras.
  • Clown loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown loaches.
  • Denison barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful denison barbs.
  • Discus: They need different temperatures: Chinese algae eater 22–26°C (72–79°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F). Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus.
  • Dojo loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dojo loaches.
  • Dwarf neon rainbowfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf neon rainbowfish.
  • 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. Chinese algae eaters don't belong in that setup.
  • Ember tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful ember tetras.
  • German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Chinese algae eater 22–26°C (72–79°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F). Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful German blue rams.
  • Glowlight tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful glowlight tetras.
  • Harlequin rasbora: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful harlequin rasboras.
  • Hillstream loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches.
  • Honey gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful honey gouramis.
  • Julii corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful julii corydoras.
  • Kuhli loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful kuhli loaches.
  • Molly: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful mollies.
  • Otocinclus: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful otocinclus.
  • 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. Chinese algae eaters don't belong in that setup.
  • Pearl gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful pearl gouramis.
  • Peppered corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful peppered corydoras.
  • Pictus catfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful pictus catfish.
  • Platy: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful platies.
  • Pygmy corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful pygmy corydoras.
  • 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. Chinese algae eaters don't belong in that setup.
  • Rosy barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rosy barbs.
  • Rummy-nose tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rummy-nose tetras.
  • Siamese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful siamese algae eaters.
  • Silver dollar: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful silver dollars.
  • Sterbai corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful sterbai corydoras.
  • White cloud mountain minnow: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful white cloud mountain minnows.
  • X-ray tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful x-ray tetras.
  • Yoyo loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful yoyo loaches.
  • Black ghost knifefish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful black ghost knifefish.
  • Black neon tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful black neon tetras.
  • Black phantom tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful black phantom tetras.
  • Bleeding heart tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bleeding heart tetras.
  • Bloodfin tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bloodfin tetras.
  • Bolivian ram: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful Bolivian rams.
  • Bumblebee catfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bumblebee catfish.
  • Clown killifish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown killifish.
  • Clown pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful clown plecos.
  • Congo tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful Congo tetras.
  • Crystal red shrimp: Chinese algae eater 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. Chinese algae eaters don't belong in that setup.
  • Diamond tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful diamond tetras.
  • Dwarf chain loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf chain loaches.
  • Emerald green corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful emerald green corydoras.
  • Emperor tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful emperor tetras.
  • Endler's livebearer: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful Endler's livebearers.
  • Forktail blue-eye: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful forktail blue-eyes.
  • Frontosa: 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. Chinese algae eaters don't belong in that setup.
  • Giant danio: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful giant danios.
  • Glass catfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful glass catfish.
  • Gold barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful gold barbs.
  • Head and tail light tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful head and tail light tetras.
  • Kubotai rasbora: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful kubotai rasboras.
  • Lambchop rasbora: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful lambchop rasboras.
  • Lemon tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful lemon tetras.
  • Marbled hatchetfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful marbled hatchetfish.
  • Odessa barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful odessa barbs.
  • Panda garra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful panda garras.
  • Peacock gudgeon: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful peacock gudgeons.
  • Penguin tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful penguin tetras.
  • Red rainbowfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful red rainbowfish.
  • Ropefish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful ropefish.
  • Rosy loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rosy loaches.
  • Rosy tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rosy tetras.
  • Rubber lip pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rubber lip plecos.
  • Scarlet badis: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful scarlet badis.
  • Scissortail rasbora: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful scissortail rasboras.
  • 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. Chinese algae eaters don't belong in that setup.
  • Sparkling gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful sparkling gouramis.
  • Swordtail: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful swordtails.
  • Threadfin rainbowfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful threadfin rainbowfish.
  • Tinfoil barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful tinfoil barbs.
  • Turquoise rainbowfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful turquoise rainbowfish.
  • Upside-down catfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful upside-down catfish.
  • Zebra loach: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra loaches.
  • Zebra pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra plecos.
  • Black ruby barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful black ruby barbs.
  • Checkerboard barb: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful checkerboard barbs.
  • Dwarf rasbora: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf rasboras.
  • Flame tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful flame tetras.
  • Glowlight danio: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful glowlight danios.
  • Green neon tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful green neon tetras.
  • Keyhole cichlid: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids.
  • Least killifish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful least killifish.
  • Moonlight gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful moonlight gouramis.
  • Pearl danio: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful pearl danios.
  • Silvertip tetra: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful silvertip tetras.
  • Thick-lipped gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful thick-lipped gouramis.
  • Variatus platy: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful variatus platies.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with chinese algae eaters?

Good tank mates for chinese algae eaters include nerite snail, oscar, assassin snail, ramshorn snail, malaysian trumpet snail and mystery snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat chinese algae eaters.

Can chinese algae eaters live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Angelfish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.

Can chinese algae eaters live with bettas?

Sometimes, with care. Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.

Can chinese algae eaters live with bristlenose plecos?

No. Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bristlenose plecos. Chinese algae eater defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area.

Can chinese algae eaters live with bronze corydoras?

No. Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bronze corydoras. Chinese algae eater 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.