Species › Catfish and plecos

Glass catfish tank mates and minimum tank size

Kryptopterus vitreolus

Glass catfish grow to 6.5 cm (2.6 in). They live in groups: keep at least 6. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F) and pH 4.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

81 L (21 US gal), at least 90 cm (35 in) long

Adult size

6.5 cm (2.6 in)

Temperature

20–26 °C (68–79 °F)

pH

pH 4.0–7.0

Group

6 or more

Glass catfish minimum tank size

Glass catfish need at least 81 L (21 US gal), in a tank at least 90 cm (35 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 6.5 cm (2.6 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (26 cm (10 in)).

Glass catfish tank mates

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

Compatible (28)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cardinal tetra
• Cherry barb
• Chili rasbora
• Congo tetra
• Dwarf gourami
• Glowlight tetra
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Paradise fish
• Pearl gourami
• Peppered corydoras
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Rosy barb
• Rummy-nose tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• White cloud mountain minnow
• Zebra danio

With care (18)

• AngelfishThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• BettaThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and glass catfish. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as glass catfish, many do not.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger glass catfish (6.5 cm).
• Cherry shrimpGlass catfish (6.5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy glass catfish are likely targets. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Common plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger glass catfish (6.5 cm).
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• GoldfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy glass catfish are likely targets.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy glass catfish are likely targets. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy glass catfish are likely targets. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.

Not compatible (6)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman'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.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so glass catfish would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); glass catfish need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; glass catfish need pH 4.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; glass catfish need pH 4.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; glass catfish grow to 6.5 cm. Glass catfish (6.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).

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