Tank mates for kribensis

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

Good tank mates for kribensis include nerite snail, tiger barb, assassin snail, ramshorn snail, malaysian trumpet snail and mystery snail. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: kribensis eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Kribensis: 24–27°C (75–81°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 10 cm (3.9 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full kribensis care guide.

Only show fish that fit my tank

Find a species

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (33)

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

Caution Possible, with care (101)

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

Angelfish · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Betta fish · 5+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
Common pleco · 150+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
- Kribensis 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 24–25°C).
African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller African dwarf frogs.
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase African dwarf frogs, which use the same area.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Kribensis hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Boesemani rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cardinal tetras.
Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller celestial pearl danios.
Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller chili rasboras.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
- 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.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase convict cichlids, which use the same area.
- Convict cichlid is aggressive. Kribensis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Convict cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kribensis, which use the same area.
Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Ember tetra · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller ember tetras.
Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–27°C).
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Kribensis hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight tetras.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of honey gouramis are an easy target.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Jack Dempseys, which use the same area.
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Kribensis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Jack Dempsey defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kribensis, which use the same area.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase julii corydoras, which use the same area.
Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kuhli loaches, which use the same area.
Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller otocinclus.
Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of pearl gouramis are an easy target.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kribensis 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 24–25°C).
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase pictus catfish, which use the same area.
Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pygmy corydoras.
Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Senegal bichirs, which use the same area.
- Senegal bichir may eat kribensis, especially young or small ones.
Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase siamese algae eaters, which use the same area.
Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase sterbai corydoras, which use the same area.
Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase yoyo loaches, which use the same area.
African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Kribensis hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase black ghost knifefish, which use the same area.
Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black neon tetras.
Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black phantom tetras.
Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bumblebee catfish, which use the same area.
Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown killifish.
Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown plecos, which use the same area.
Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Congo tetra · 40+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of Congo tetras are an easy target.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Kribensis may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase emerald green corydoras, which use the same area.
Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Green terror is aggressive. Kribensis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Jewel cichlid is aggressive. Kribensis can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kubotai rasboras.
Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lambchop rasboras.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda garras, which use the same area.
Paradise fish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peacock gudgeons, which use the same area.
Ropefish · 75+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase ropefish, which use the same area.
Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy loaches.
Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy tetras.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller scarlet badis.
- Kribensis 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 24–25°C).
Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sparkling gouramis.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Kribensis may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of threadfin rainbowfish are an easy target.
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller threadfin rainbowfish.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Kribensis hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra loaches, which use the same area.
Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf rasboras.
Flame tetra · 15+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller green neon tetras.
Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller least killifish.
Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of moonlight gouramis are an easy target.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Kribensis is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of thick-lipped gouramis are an easy target.
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (15)

Cherry shrimp: Kribensis eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Kribensis 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Kribensis 24–27°C (75–81°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Oscar: Oscar can eat kribensis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Discus: They need different temperatures: Kribensis 24–27°C (75–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Kribensis 24–27°C (75–81°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. Kribensis don't belong in that setup.
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. Kribensis 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. Kribensis don't belong in that setup.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Kribensis 24–27°C (75–81°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Crystal red shrimp: Kribensis 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. Kribensis don't belong in that setup.
Frontosa: Frontosa can eat kribensis: 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. Kribensis don't belong in that setup.
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. Kribensis don't belong in that setup.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with kribensis?

Good tank mates for kribensis include nerite snail, tiger barb, assassin snail, ramshorn snail, malaysian trumpet snail and mystery snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat kribensis.

Can kribensis live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.

Can kribensis live with bettas?

Sometimes, with care. Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

Can kribensis live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. Kribensis 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 kribensis, which use the same area.

Can kribensis live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Kribensis 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.

Tank mates for kribensis

Good Compatible tank mates (33)

Nerite snail

Tiger barb

Assassin snail

Bala shark

Black skirt tetra

Blood parrot cichlid

Cherry barb

Dwarf neon rainbowfish

Malaysian trumpet snail

Molly

Mystery snail

Platy

Ramshorn snail

Rummy-nose tetra

Silver dollar

Bleeding heart tetra

Bloodfin tetra

Diamond tetra

Emperor tetra

Forktail blue-eye

Glass catfish

Golden wonder killifish

Kissing gourami

Penguin tetra

Rabbit snail

Red rainbowfish

Serpae tetra

Severum

Swordtail

Tinfoil barb

Upside-down catfish

Black ruby barb

Keyhole cichlid

Caution Possible, with care (101)

Avoid Bad tank mates (15)

Frequently asked questions