Siamese algae eater Tank Mates
Short answer: the best siamese algae eater tank mates are Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. Siamese algae eaters need 68–79 °F (20–26 °C), pH 6–7.5 and at least 75 gallons.
Siamese algae eater care at a glance
| Adult size | 6.3 in (16 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 75 US gallons |
| Temperature | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Bottom |
| Group size | Can be kept singly or in pairs |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (52)
- Betta fish
- Dwarf gourami
- Guppy
- Bristlenose pleco
- Harlequin rasbora
- Molly
- Neon tetra
- Platy
- Tiger barb
- Angelfish
- Nerite snail
- Amano shrimp
- Celestial pearl danio
- Chili rasbora
- Ember tetra
- Endler's livebearer
- Mystery snail
- Otocinclus
- Panda cory
- Black skirt tetra
- Bronze cory
- Cardinal tetra
- Cherry barb
- Glowlight tetra
- Honey gourami
- Kuhli loach
- Rummy nose tetra
- Serpae tetra
- White cloud mountain minnow
- Zebra danio
- Pearl gourami
- Swordtail
- Three spot gourami
- Clown loach
- Pygmy cory
- Sparkling gourami
- Black neon tetra
- Bloodfin tetra
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Forktail blue-eye
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- Peppered cory
- Sterbai cory
- X-ray tetra
- Buenos Aires tetra
- Congo tetra
- Gold barb
- Odessa barb
- Rosy barb
- Upside-down catfish
- Bala shark
⚠️ Possible with caution (2)
- Cherry shrimp — Siamese algae eater will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Fancy goldfish — Goldfish are coldwater fish that produce a lot of waste; they are usually kept only with other goldfish.
❌ Not recommended (17)
- Oscar — Oscar is aggressive and will bully peaceful Siamese algae eater.
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully peaceful Siamese algae eater.
- German blue ram — No comfortable shared temperature: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Siamese algae eater 20–26 °C (68–79 °F).
- Kribensis — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- 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 Siamese algae eater.
- Discus — No comfortable shared temperature: Discus 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) vs Siamese algae eater 20–26 °C (68–79 °F).
- Rainbow shark — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Red tail shark — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Common pleco — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Paradise fish — Paradise fish is aggressive and will bully peaceful Siamese algae eater.
- Convict cichlid — Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Siamese algae eater.
- Firemouth cichlid — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Boesemani rainbowfish — No comfortable shared temperature: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Siamese algae eater 20–26 °C (68–79 °F).
- Bolivian ram — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Chinese algae eater — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Jack Dempsey — Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully peaceful Siamese algae eater.
How many Siamese algae eaters per tank?
75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with Siamese algae eaters?
Good matches include Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. They share a temperature range with Siamese algae eaters (68–79 °F (20–26 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with Siamese algae eaters?
Avoid Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, Kribensis, Electric yellow cichlid, Discus.
What size tank do Siamese algae eaters need?
We recommend at least 75 US gallons for one siamese algae eater, more if you add tank mates.
Can Siamese algae eaters live alone?
Yes. Siamese algae eaters do not need a group, though they can be kept with compatible tank mates.
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.