Tank mates for rainbow sharks

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

Good tank mates for rainbow sharks include betta fish, nerite snail, dwarf gourami, angelfish, tiger barb and oscar. Avoid cherry shrimp, discus and electric yellow cichlid: rainbow shark eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Rainbow sharks: 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6.5–7.5, adult size 15 cm (5.9 in), minimum tank 75 gallons (284 L). Full rainbow shark care guide.

Only show fish that fit my tank

Find a species

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (35)

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

Caution Possible, with care (103)

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

Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bronze corydoras.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
Common goldfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–22°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Common pleco · 150+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Fancy goldfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–23°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller guppies.
Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than neon tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda corydoras, which use the same area.
Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller African dwarf frogs.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than African dwarf frogs and may swallow them as it grows.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase African dwarf frogs, which use the same area.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black skirt tetras.
Boesemani rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cardinal tetras.
Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller celestial pearl danios.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than celestial pearl danios and may swallow them as it grows.
Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cherry barbs.
Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller chili rasboras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than chili rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
- 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.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Dojo loach · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–23°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dojo loaches, which use the same area.
Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf neon rainbowfish.
Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Ember tetra · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller ember tetras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than ember tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight tetras.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller honey gouramis.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Jack Dempseys, which use the same area.
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Rainbow sharks can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Jack Dempsey defends its patch of the bottom and may chase rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller julii corydoras.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase julii corydoras, which use the same area.
Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kuhli loaches, which use the same area.
Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller otocinclus.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peppered corydoras.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peppered corydoras, which use the same area.
Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase pictus catfish, which use the same area.
Platy · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller platies.
Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pygmy corydoras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than pygmy corydoras and may swallow them as it grows.
Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rummy-nose tetras.
Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Senegal bichirs, which use the same area.
Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase siamese algae eaters, which use the same area.
Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sterbai corydoras.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase sterbai corydoras, which use the same area.
White cloud mountain minnow · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–22°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller white cloud mountain minnows.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase yoyo loaches, which use the same area.
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase black ghost knifefish, which use the same area.
Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black neon tetras.
Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black phantom tetras.
Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bleeding heart tetras.
Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bloodfin tetras.
Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bumblebee catfish, which use the same area.
Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown killifish.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than clown killifish and may swallow them as it grows.
Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown plecos, which use the same area.
Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller diamond tetras.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, 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.
- Rainbow shark may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase emerald green corydoras, which use the same area.
Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emperor tetras.
Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than Endler's livebearers and may swallow them as it grows.
Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller forktail blue-eyes.
Glass catfish · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glass catfish.
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller gold barbs.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Green terror is aggressive. Rainbow sharks can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kubotai rasboras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than kubotai rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lambchop rasboras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than lambchop rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller odessa barbs.
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda garras, which use the same area.
Paradise fish · 20+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peacock gudgeons.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peacock gudgeons, which use the same area.
Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller penguin tetras.
Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
Ropefish · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase ropefish, which use the same area.
Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy loaches.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than rosy loaches and may swallow them as it grows.
Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy tetras.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller scarlet badis.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than scarlet badis and may swallow them as it grows.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase scarlet badis, which use the same area.
Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sparkling gouramis.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Rainbow shark may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller threadfin rainbowfish.
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Rainbow shark 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 26–26°C).
- Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black ruby barbs.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller checkerboard barbs.
Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf rasboras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than dwarf rasboras and may swallow them as it grows.
Flame tetra · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than flame tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than glowlight danios and may swallow them as it grows.
Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller green neon tetras.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than green neon tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller least killifish.
- Rainbow shark grows much larger than least killifish and may swallow them as it grows.
Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pearl danios.
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller variatus platies.

Avoid Bad tank mates (11)

Cherry shrimp: Rainbow shark eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Discus: They need different temperatures: Rainbow shark 22–26°C (72–79°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°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. Rainbow sharks don't belong in that setup.
German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Rainbow shark 22–26°C (72–79°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°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. Rainbow sharks 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. Rainbow sharks don't belong in that setup.
Crystal red shrimp: Rainbow shark 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. Rainbow sharks don't belong in that setup.
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. Rainbow sharks 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. Rainbow sharks don't belong in that setup.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with rainbow sharks?

Good tank mates for rainbow sharks include betta fish, nerite snail, dwarf gourami, angelfish, tiger barb and oscar. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat rainbow sharks.

Can rainbow sharks live with angelfish?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can rainbow sharks live with bettas?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can rainbow sharks live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks, which use the same area.

Can rainbow sharks live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bronze corydoras. Rainbow shark 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 rainbow sharks

Good Compatible tank mates (35)

Angelfish

Betta fish

Dwarf gourami

Nerite snail

Oscar

Tiger barb

Assassin snail

Bala shark

Blood parrot cichlid

Denison barb

Malaysian trumpet snail

Molly

Mystery snail

Pearl gourami

Ramshorn snail

Silver dollar

Three spot gourami

African butterfly fish

Buenos Aires tetra

Congo tetra

Gardneri killifish

Giant danio

Golden wonder killifish

Jewel cichlid

Kissing gourami

Red rainbowfish

Scissortail rasbora

Serpae tetra

Severum

Swordtail

Tinfoil barb

Turquoise rainbowfish

Upside-down catfish

Keyhole cichlid

Thick-lipped gourami

Caution Possible, with care (103)

Avoid Bad tank mates (11)

Frequently asked questions