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Boeseman's rainbowfish tank mates and minimum tank size

Melanotaenia boesemani

Boeseman's rainbowfish grow to 11 cm (4.3 in). They live in groups: keep at least 8. They are active and can unsettle shy tank mates. They need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) and pH 7.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

108 L (29 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long

Adult size

11 cm (4.3 in)

Temperature

27–30 °C (81–86 °F)

pH

pH 7.0–8.0

Group

8 or more

Boeseman's rainbowfish minimum tank size

Boeseman's rainbowfish need at least 108 L (29 US gal), in a tank at least 120 cm (47 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 11 cm (4.3 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (44 cm (17 in)).

Boeseman's rainbowfish tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against Boeseman's rainbowfish by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (6)

• Angelfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Lemon tetra
• Molly
• Swordtail

With care (13)

• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as Boeseman's rainbowfish, many do not.
• Black neon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and black neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bronze corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and bronze corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry barbThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and cherry barbs. That leaves no margin.
• Chili rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Clown loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and dwarf gouramis. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Honey gouramiThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and honey gouramis. That leaves no margin. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Pearl gouramiPearl gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Yoyo loachThe only temperature that suits both is 27–27.5 °C (81–82 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and yoyo loaches. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (33)

• Black skirt tetraBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); black skirt tetras need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bristlenose plecoBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); bristlenose plecos need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cardinal tetraBoeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); celestial pearl danios need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Celestial pearl danios are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Cherry shrimpBoeseman's rainbowfish grow to 11 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Boeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Common plecoBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); common plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Congo tetraBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); Congo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so Boeseman's rainbowfish would be harassed.
• German blue ramBoeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both. German blue rams are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Glass catfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); glass catfish need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• GoldfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Harlequin rasboraBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); harlequin rasboras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• KribensisBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Kuhli loachBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); kuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Boeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); mystery snails need 21–26 °C (70–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Neon tetraBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); nerite snails need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• OscarBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); oscars need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Oscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; Boeseman's rainbowfish grow to 11 cm.
• OtocinclusBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); otocinclus need 21–26 °C (70–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Panda corydorasBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); panda corydoras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Paradise fishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Pygmy corydorasBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); pygmy corydoras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Red tail sharkBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); red tail sharks need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rummy-nose tetraBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); rummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Boeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Serpae tetraBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); serpae tetras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Siamese algae eaterBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); Siamese algae eaters need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Tiger barbBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); tiger barbs need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Zebra danioBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); zebra danios need 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank