X-ray tetra Tank Mates
Short answer: the best x-ray tetra tank mates are Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. X-ray tetras need 72–82 °F (22–28 °C), pH 6–7.5 and at least 20 gallons. Keep them in a group of 6 or more.
X-ray tetra care at a glance
| Adult size | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 20 US gallons |
| Temperature | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Middle |
| Group size | Groups of 6+ |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (49)
- Betta fish
- Dwarf gourami
- Guppy
- 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
- Zebra danio
- Swordtail
- Discus
- Rainbow shark
- Red tail shark
- Siamese algae eater
- Common pleco
- Clown loach
- Pygmy cory
- Sparkling gourami
- Black neon tetra
- Bloodfin tetra
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Forktail blue-eye
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- Peppered cory
- Sterbai cory
- Congo tetra
- Gold barb
- Odessa barb
- Rosy barb
- Upside-down catfish
- Bolivian ram
⚠️ Possible with caution (13)
- Cherry shrimp — X-ray tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Tiger barb — Tiger barb may nip at calmer tankmates like X-ray tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Angelfish — An adult angelfish (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller X-ray tetra (4.5 cm), especially at night.
- Black skirt tetra — Black skirt tetra may nip at calmer tankmates like X-ray tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- German blue ram — Very narrow shared temperature range: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs X-ray tetra 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
- Serpae tetra — Serpae tetra may nip at calmer tankmates like X-ray tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Kribensis — Kribensis is a much larger territorial fish and may bully X-ray tetra.
- Pearl gourami — An adult pearl gourami (up to 12 cm) may try to eat smaller X-ray tetra (4.5 cm), especially at night.
- Three spot gourami — An adult three spot gourami (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller X-ray tetra (4.5 cm), especially at night.
- Buenos Aires tetra — Buenos Aires tetra may nip at calmer tankmates like X-ray tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Firemouth cichlid — An adult firemouth cichlid (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller X-ray tetra (4.5 cm), especially at night.
- Boesemani rainbowfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs X-ray tetra 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
- Chinese algae eater — Adult Chinese algae eater can latch onto other fish and rasp their slime coat.
❌ Not recommended (9)
- Fancy goldfish — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: Fancy goldfish 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) vs X-ray tetra 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
- Oscar — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat X-ray tetra (4.5 cm).
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully peaceful X-ray tetra.
- White cloud mountain minnow — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: White cloud mountain minnow 14–22 °C (57–72 °F) vs X-ray tetra 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
- 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 X-ray tetra.
- Paradise fish — No comfortable shared temperature: Paradise fish 10–22 °C (50–72 °F) vs X-ray tetra 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
- Convict cichlid — Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful X-ray tetra.
- Jack Dempsey — An adult Jack Dempsey (up to 25 cm) is big enough to eat X-ray tetra (4.5 cm).
- Bala shark — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat X-ray tetra (4.5 cm).
How many X-ray tetras per tank?
20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with X-ray tetras?
Good matches include Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. They share a temperature range with X-ray tetras (72–82 °F (22–28 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with X-ray tetras?
Avoid Fancy goldfish, Oscar, Pea puffer, White cloud mountain minnow, Electric yellow cichlid, Paradise fish.
What size tank do X-ray tetras need?
We recommend at least 20 US gallons for a group of 6 X-ray tetras, more if you add tank mates.
Can X-ray tetras live alone?
No. X-ray tetras are social and should be kept in groups of at least 6.
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.