Swordtail compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Swordtail, 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 Swordtail 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 |
|---|---|---|
| ph | 29 | 45% |
| temperature | 28 | 43% |
| zone competition | 21 | 32% |
| breeding aggression | 15 | 23% |
| hardness | 8 | 12% |
| flow | 7 | 11% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 27 |
| Workable | 20 |
| Comfortable for both | 7 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 6 |
| No overlap at all | 5 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (3)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
Poor match (16)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
- with Angelfish5 concerns
- with Chili rasbora5 concerns
- with Clown loach2 concerns
- with Dwarf gourami3 concerns
- with Ember tetra4 concerns
- with German blue ram4 concerns
- with Goldfish1 concern
- with Kuhli loach3 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami4 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Pearl gourami3 concerns
- with Rope fish3 concerns
- with Rummy-nose tetra4 concerns
- with Severum5 concerns
- with Siamese fighting fish5 concerns
- with White Cloud Mountain minnow2 concerns
Conditional (21)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with American flagfish3 concerns
- with Black ruby barb2 concerns
- with Blue acara1 concern
- with Cherry barb3 concerns
- with Convict cichlid1 concern
- with Electric yellow cichlid3 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid2 concerns
- with Golden wonder killifish1 concern
- with Harlequin rasbora2 concerns
- with Honey gourami3 concerns
- with Kribensis1 concern
- with Molly2 concerns
- with Neon tetra3 concerns
- with Otocinclus1 concern
- with Panda corydoras1 concern
- with Peacock gudgeon2 concerns
- with Pygmy corydoras1 concern
- with Scissortail rasbora2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir1 concern
- with Serpae tetra2 concerns
- with Tiger barb2 concerns
Generally compatible (12)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Amano shrimp1 concern
- with Bloodfin tetra1 concern
- with Bolivian ram1 concern
- with Celestial pearl danio1 concern
- with Cherry shrimp1 concern
- with Ghost shrimp1 concern
- with Indian glassfish1 concern
- with Pea puffer2 concerns
- with Pictus catfish1 concern
- with Platy1 concern
- with Siamese algae eater1 concern
- with Upside-down catfish1 concern
Compatible (13)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Bladder snailno concerns
- with Bristlenose plecono concerns
- with Bronze corydorasno concerns
- with Common plecono concerns
- with Guppyno concerns
- with Kissing gouramino concerns
- with Mystery snailno concerns
- with Nerite snailno concerns
- with Peppered corydorasno concerns
- with Red swamp crayfishno concerns
- with Sailfin mollyno concerns
- with Yoyo loachno concerns
- with Zebra daniono concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional | 21 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Poor match | 16 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |
| Compatible | 13 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Generally compatible | 12 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Incompatible | 3 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |