FishCompat

Tank Mate Guide

Best Tank Mates for Discus

Discuss need tank mates that match their 81-88F temperature range, pH 5.5-7, adult size, and peaceful temperament. Discuss need tank mates chosen around temperament, territory, and adult size. Provide line-of-sight breaks and avoid fish small enough to be swallowed.

Discus Care Snapshot

Tank

55+ gal

pH

5.5-7

Temp

81-88F

Size

7.9 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Care

Advanced

Swim Level

Middle

Group

Solo or pair

Compatible Fish (18)

Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) in a freshwater aquarium

Boesemani Rainbowfish

Size 4.3 inpH 7-8
Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) in a freshwater aquarium

Bolivian Ram

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus) in a freshwater aquarium

Bristlenose Pleco

Size 5.1 inpH 6.5-7.8
Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) in a freshwater aquarium

Bronze Corydoras

Size 2.8 inpH 6-7.5
Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) in a freshwater aquarium

Clown Loach

Size 11.8 inpH 6-7.5
Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) in a freshwater aquarium

Common Pleco

Size 17.7 inpH 6.5-7.8
Emerald Corydoras (Brochis splendens) in a freshwater aquarium

Emerald Corydoras

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) in a freshwater aquarium

German Blue Ram

Size 2.8 inpH 5.5-7
Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus) in a freshwater aquarium

Glass Catfish

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) in a freshwater aquarium

Keyhole Cichlid

Size 4.7 inpH 6-7.5
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) in a freshwater aquarium

Kuhli Loach

Size 3.9 inpH 5.5-7
Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) in a freshwater aquarium

Pearl Gourami

Size 4.7 inpH 6-7.5
Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) in a freshwater aquarium

Pictus Catfish

Size 5.1 inpH 6.5-7.5
Praecox Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) in a freshwater aquarium

Praecox Rainbowfish

Size 3.1 inpH 6.5-7.8
Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) in a freshwater aquarium

Siamese Algae Eater

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.5
Swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) in a freshwater aquarium

Swordtail

Size 4.7 inpH 7-8.3
Upside-Down Catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) in a freshwater aquarium

Upside-Down Catfish

Size 3.9 inpH 6.5-7.8
Yoyo Loach (Botia almorhae) in a freshwater aquarium

Yoyo Loach

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.5

Use Caution (15)

Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) in a freshwater aquarium

Angelfish

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.5
Apistogramma (Apistogramma cacatuoides) in a freshwater aquarium

Apistogramma

Size 3.1 inpH 5.5-7.5
Betta (Betta splendens) in a freshwater aquarium

Betta

Size 2.8 inpH 6.5-7.8
Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) in a freshwater aquarium

Convict Cichlid

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-8
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) in a freshwater aquarium

Dwarf Gourami

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher) in a freshwater aquarium

Electric Blue Acara

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.8
Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) in a freshwater aquarium

Firemouth Cichlid

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-8
Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) in a freshwater aquarium

Jack Dempsey

Size 9.8 inpH 6.5-8
Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher) in a freshwater aquarium

Kribensis

Size 3.9 inpH 6-7.8
Opaline Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) in a freshwater aquarium

Opaline Gourami

Size 5.9 inpH 6-8
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Oscar

Size 13.8 inpH 6-7.5
Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) in a freshwater aquarium

Rainbow Shark

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.5
Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) in a freshwater aquarium

Red Tail Shark

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.5
Severum (Heros efasciatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Severum

Size 9.8 inpH 6-7.5
Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) in a freshwater aquarium

Tiger Barb

Size 2.8 inpH 6-7.5

Avoid These Tank Mates (46)

African Dwarf Frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri) in a freshwater aquarium

African Dwarf Frog

Size 0.8 inpH 6.5-7.8
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) in a freshwater aquarium

Amano Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.8
Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) in a freshwater aquarium

Axolotl

Size 0.4 inpH 6.8-8
Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) in a freshwater aquarium

Bamboo Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.8
Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) in a freshwater aquarium

Black Neon Tetra

Size 1.6 inpH 5.5-7.5
Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) in a freshwater aquarium

Black Skirt Tetra

Size 2.4 inpH 6-7.5
Buenos Aires Tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) in a freshwater aquarium

Buenos Aires Tetra

Size 2.8 inpH 6.5-8
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) in a freshwater aquarium

Cardinal Tetra

Size 2 inpH 4.8-6.8
Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Celestial Pearl Danio

Size 1 inpH 6.5-7.5
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) in a freshwater aquarium

Cherry Barb

Size 2 inpH 6-7.5
Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) in a freshwater aquarium

Cherry Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-8
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) in a freshwater aquarium

Chili Rasbora

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Clown Killifish

Size 1.4 inpH 5.5-7
Corydoras Panda (Corydoras panda) in a freshwater aquarium

Corydoras Panda

Size 2 inpH 6-7.5
Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii) in a freshwater aquarium

Denison Barb

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.8
Dwarf Chain Loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki) in a freshwater aquarium

Dwarf Chain Loach

Size 2.4 inpH 6.5-7.5
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) in a freshwater aquarium

Ember Tetra

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) in a freshwater aquarium

Endler's Livebearer

Size 1.4 inpH 6.8-8
Exclamation Point Rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) in a freshwater aquarium

Exclamation Point Rasbora

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) in a freshwater aquarium

Glowlight Tetra

Size 1.6 inpH 5.5-7.5

Tank Setup Tips

Start with at least 55 gallons, keep water stable, and stock schooling species in proper groups. If the tank mate list includes caution species, add more plants, caves, and open swimming room before introducing them.

For a specific pair, use the compatibility checker or visit generated pair pages from the cards above. Compatibility is strongest when the aquarium is mature and each species can eat without being chased.

Back to the Discus care guide