Redtail catfish compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Redtail catfish, derived from stored behavioural and environmental traits. Each verdict links to the reasoning behind it — including where the evidence runs out.
The species record is on the Redtail catfish page. Any pairing not listed here can be assessed on demand with the compatibility checker.
What decides this species' pairings
Counted across every assessment above — the dimensions that actually raise concerns for this animal, rather than the ones a care sheet would list.
| Dimension | Pairings raising it | Share |
|---|---|---|
| breeding aggression | 116 | 129% |
| predation | 80 | 89% |
| territory | 51 | 57% |
| zone competition | 30 | 33% |
| temperature | 20 | 22% |
| ph | 18 | 20% |
Environmental compromise
Whether a shared temperature, pH and hardness band exists is a necessary condition, not evidence that it suits both animals. This counts how good the overlap actually is.
| Overlap quality | Pairings |
|---|---|
| Comfortable for both | 36 |
| Workable | 27 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 14 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 8 |
| No overlap at all | 5 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (82)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
- with Amano shrimp5 concerns
- with American flagfish6 concerns
- with Angelfish4 concerns
- with Bala shark2 concerns
- with Black ghost knifefish5 concerns
- with Black ruby barb2 concerns
- with Bleeding heart tetra3 concerns
- with Bloodfin tetra3 concerns
- with Blue acara5 concerns
- with Bolivian ram5 concerns
- with Bristlenose pleco4 concerns
- with Bronze corydoras4 concerns
- with Cardinal tetra2 concerns
- with Celestial pearl danio3 concerns
- with Cherry barb2 concerns
- with Cherry shrimp5 concerns
- with Chili rasbora3 concerns
- with Clown loach5 concerns
- with Common pleco4 concerns
- with Convict cichlid5 concerns
- with Discus5 concerns
- with Doctor fish7 concerns
- with Dwarf gourami4 concerns
- with Eastern rainbowfish4 concerns
- with Electric blue hap4 concerns
- with Electric yellow cichlid6 concerns
- with Ember tetra2 concerns
- with Firehead tetra2 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid5 concerns
- with Flavescent peacock6 concerns
- with Frontosa5 concerns
- with German blue ram6 concerns
- with Ghost shrimp5 concerns
- with Gold nugget pleco6 concerns
- with Golden wonder killifish2 concerns
- with Goldfish5 concerns
- with Green terror4 concerns
- with Guppy4 concerns
- with Harlequin rasbora2 concerns
- with Honey gourami4 concerns
- with Indian glassfish2 concerns
- with Jack Dempsey4 concerns
- with Jewel cichlid4 concerns
- with Kissing gourami3 concerns
- with Koi carp5 concerns
- with Kribensis5 concerns
- with Kuhli loach4 concerns
- with Molly4 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami5 concerns
- with Neon tetra2 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Otocinclus3 concerns
- with Panda corydoras5 concerns
- with Pea puffer4 concerns
- with Peacock gudgeon5 concerns
- with Pearl gourami4 concerns
- with Peppered corydoras5 concerns
- with Pictus catfish4 concerns
- with Platy3 concerns
- with Pygmy corydoras3 concerns
- with Rainbow shark4 concerns
- with Red zebra cichlid5 concerns
- with Red-eye tetra2 concerns
- with Red-tailed black shark4 concerns
- with Rope fish5 concerns
- with Rummy-nose tetra2 concerns
- with Sailfin molly4 concerns
- with Scissortail rasbora2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir5 concerns
- with Serpae tetra2 concerns
- with Severum3 concerns
- with Siamese algae eater4 concerns
- with Siamese fighting fish6 concerns
- with Silver dollar2 concerns
- with Skunk loach4 concerns
- with Swordtail3 concerns
- with Tiger barb2 concerns
- with Tinfoil barb2 concerns
- with Upside-down catfish3 concerns
- with White Cloud Mountain minnow3 concerns
- with Yoyo loach4 concerns
- with Zebra danio3 concerns
Poor match (3)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
Conditional (3)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
Generally compatible (2)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Incompatible | 82 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |
| Conditional | 3 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Poor match | 3 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |
| Generally compatible | 2 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |