Guppy Tank Mates
Short answer: the best guppy tank mates are Dwarf gourami, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly, Neon tetra, Platy. Guppies need 63–82 °F (17–28 °C), pH 7–8.5 and at least 10 gallons. Keep them in a group of 3 or more.
Guppy care at a glance
| Adult size | 2.4 in (6 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 10 US gallons |
| Temperature | 63–82 °F (17–28 °C) |
| pH | 7–8.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Top |
| Group size | Groups of 3+ |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (46)
- Dwarf gourami
- Bristlenose pleco
- Harlequin rasbora
- Molly
- Neon tetra
- Platy
- Nerite snail
- Amano shrimp
- Celestial pearl danio
- Chili rasbora
- Ember tetra
- Endler's livebearer
- Mystery snail
- Otocinclus
- Panda cory
- Bronze cory
- Cardinal tetra
- Cherry barb
- Glowlight tetra
- Honey gourami
- Kuhli loach
- Rummy nose tetra
- White cloud mountain minnow
- Kribensis
- Pearl gourami
- Swordtail
- Discus
- Rainbow shark
- Red tail shark
- Siamese algae eater
- Common pleco
- Clown loach
- Pygmy cory
- Sparkling gourami
- Black neon tetra
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Forktail blue-eye
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- Peppered cory
- Sterbai cory
- X-ray tetra
- Congo tetra
- Upside-down catfish
- Bolivian ram
⚠️ Possible with caution (13)
- Cherry shrimp — Guppy will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Fancy goldfish — An adult fancy goldfish (up to 20 cm) may try to eat smaller guppy (6 cm), especially at night.
- Angelfish — An adult angelfish (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller guppy (6 cm), especially at night.
- German blue ram — Very narrow shared temperature range: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Guppy 17–28 °C (63–82 °F).
- Zebra danio — Zebra danio sometimes nips long fins, so guppy may get harassed.
- Three spot gourami — An adult three spot gourami (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller guppy (6 cm), especially at night.
- Bloodfin tetra — Bloodfin tetra sometimes nips long fins, so guppy may get harassed.
- Gold barb — Gold barb sometimes nips long fins, so guppy may get harassed.
- Odessa barb — Odessa barb sometimes nips long fins, so guppy may get harassed.
- Rosy barb — Rosy barb sometimes nips long fins, so guppy may get harassed.
- Firemouth cichlid — An adult firemouth cichlid (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller guppy (6 cm), especially at night.
- Boesemani rainbowfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Guppy 17–28 °C (63–82 °F).
- Chinese algae eater — Adult Chinese algae eater can latch onto other fish and rasp their slime coat.
❌ Not recommended (12)
- Betta fish — Betta fish often attacks long-finned, colourful fish like guppy.
- Tiger barb — Tiger barb is a known fin-nipper and will shred the long fins of guppy.
- Oscar — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat guppy (6 cm).
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer is a known fin-nipper and will shred the long fins of guppy.
- Black skirt tetra — Black skirt tetra is a known fin-nipper and will shred the long fins of guppy.
- Serpae tetra — Serpae tetra is a known fin-nipper and will shred the long fins of guppy.
- Electric yellow cichlid — Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid: it needs hard, alkaline water and an African-cichlid community, and is too boisterous for guppy.
- Paradise fish — Paradise fish often attacks long-finned, colourful fish like guppy.
- Buenos Aires tetra — Buenos Aires tetra is a known fin-nipper and will shred the long fins of guppy.
- Convict cichlid — Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful guppy.
- Jack Dempsey — An adult Jack Dempsey (up to 25 cm) is big enough to eat guppy (6 cm).
- Bala shark — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat guppy (6 cm).
How many guppies per tank?
10 gal 20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with guppies?
Good matches include Dwarf gourami, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly, Neon tetra, Platy. They share a temperature range with guppies (63–82 °F (17–28 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with guppies?
Avoid Betta fish, Tiger barb, Oscar, Pea puffer, Black skirt tetra, Serpae tetra.
What size tank do guppies need?
We recommend at least 10 US gallons for a group of 3 guppies, more if you add tank mates.
Can guppies live alone?
No. Guppies are social and should be kept in groups of at least 3.
Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.