FishCompat

Tank Mate Guide

Best Tank Mates for Molly

Mollys need tank mates that match their 75-82F temperature range, pH 7.2-8.2, adult size, and peaceful temperament. Mollys prefer harder, more alkaline water than many soft-water fish. They are usually peaceful but should not be kept with fin nippers or fish large enough to eat them.

Molly Care Snapshot

Tank

20+ gal

pH

7.2-8.2

Temp

75-82F

Size

3.9 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Care

Beginner

Swim Level

Middle

Group

3+

Compatible Fish (43)

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) in a freshwater aquarium

Amano Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.8
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
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
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
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
Emerald Corydoras (Brochis splendens) in a freshwater aquarium

Emerald Corydoras

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) in a freshwater aquarium

Endler's Livebearer

Size 1.4 inpH 6.8-8
Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus) in a freshwater aquarium

Glass Catfish

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) in a freshwater aquarium

Glowlight Tetra

Size 1.6 inpH 5.5-7.5
Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) in a freshwater aquarium

Guppy

Size 2 inpH 6.8-7.8
Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) in a freshwater aquarium

Harlequin Rasbora

Size 2 inpH 6-7.5
Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) in a freshwater aquarium

Hillstream Loach

Size 2.8 inpH 6.5-7.5

Use Caution (18)

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
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
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
Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) in a freshwater aquarium

Paradise Fish

Size 3.9 inpH 6-8
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
Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) in a freshwater aquarium

Serpae Tetra

Size 2 inpH 5.5-7.5
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 (18)

African Dwarf Frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri) in a freshwater aquarium

African Dwarf Frog

Size 0.8 inpH 6.5-7.8
Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) in a freshwater aquarium

Axolotl

Size 0.4 inpH 6.8-8
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) in a freshwater aquarium

Cardinal Tetra

Size 2 inpH 4.8-6.8
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
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
Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Discus

Size 7.9 inpH 5.5-7
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) in a freshwater aquarium

Ember Tetra

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Exclamation Point Rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) in a freshwater aquarium

Exclamation Point Rasbora

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) in a freshwater aquarium

German Blue Ram

Size 2.8 inpH 5.5-7
Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) in a freshwater aquarium

Green Neon Tetra

Size 1 inpH 4.5-6.8
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) in a freshwater aquarium

Kuhli Loach

Size 3.9 inpH 5.5-7
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) in a freshwater aquarium

Neon Tetra

Size 1.5 inpH 6-7
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Oscar

Size 13.8 inpH 6-7.5
Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) in a freshwater aquarium

Pea Puffer

Size 1 inpH 6.8-7.8
Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) in a freshwater aquarium

Scarlet Badis

Size 0.8 inpH 6.5-7.5
White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) in a freshwater aquarium

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.5

Tank Setup Tips

Start with at least 20 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 Molly care guide