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 |
|---|---|---|
| temperature | 43 | 48% |
| ph | 40 | 44% |
| zone competition | 30 | 33% |
| breeding aggression | 27 | 30% |
| territory | 14 | 16% |
| hardness | 11 | 12% |
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 | 37 |
| Workable | 26 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 13 |
| Comfortable for both | 7 |
| No overlap at all | 7 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (13)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
- with Black ghost knifefish4 concerns
- with Cardinal tetra4 concerns
- with Clown knifefish6 concerns
- with Discus5 concerns
- with Firehead tetra4 concerns
- with Giant gourami5 concerns
- with Iridescent shark3 concerns
- with Koi carp2 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Redtail catfish3 concerns
- with Rope fish3 concerns
- with Senegal bichir2 concerns
- with Silver arowana5 concerns
Poor match (22)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
- with Angelfish5 concerns
- with Bleeding heart tetra4 concerns
- with Chili rasbora5 concerns
- with Clown loach2 concerns
- with Dwarf gourami3 concerns
- with Electric blue hap4 concerns
- with Ember tetra4 concerns
- with Flavescent peacock2 concerns
- with German blue ram4 concerns
- with Gold nugget pleco2 concerns
- with Goldfish1 concern
- with Jack Dempsey4 concerns
- with Kuhli loach3 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami4 concerns
- with Pearl gourami3 concerns
- with Red zebra cichlid3 concerns
- with Rummy-nose tetra4 concerns
- with Severum5 concerns
- with Siamese fighting fish5 concerns
- with Silver dollar3 concerns
- with Skunk loach2 concerns
- with White Cloud Mountain minnow2 concerns
Conditional (24)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with American flagfish3 concerns
- with Bala shark2 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 Frontosa4 concerns
- with Golden wonder killifish1 concern
- with Green terror2 concerns
- with Harlequin rasbora2 concerns
- with Honey gourami3 concerns
- with Jewel cichlid2 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 Serpae tetra2 concerns
- with Tiger barb2 concerns
Generally compatible (14)
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 Red-eye tetra1 concern
- with Siamese algae eater1 concern
- with Tinfoil barb1 concern
- with Upside-down catfish1 concern
Compatible (17)
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 Doctor fishno concerns
- with Eastern rainbowfishno concerns
- with Guppyno concerns
- with Kissing gouramino concerns
- with Mystery snailno concerns
- with Nerite snailno concerns
- with Peppered corydorasno concerns
- with Rainbow sharkno concerns
- with Red swamp crayfishno concerns
- with Red-tailed black sharkno concerns
- with Sailfin mollyno concerns
- with Yoyo loachno concerns
- with Zebra daniono concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional | 24 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Poor match | 22 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |
| Compatible | 17 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Generally compatible | 14 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Incompatible | 13 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |