Compatibility brief
Can Angelfish live with Black ruby barb?
Caution. Check the issues below before buying.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
150L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 150L (larger active fish often want more length).
Angelfish (20cm adult) may treat small Black ruby barb (~6cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Temperament gap (semi-aggressive vs peaceful) — needs space, structure, and careful observation, not a “drop and forget” mix.
Assessment details
Temperament difference
Top issueAngelfish is semi-aggressive, while Black ruby barb is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.
Narrow temperature overlap
Angelfish and Black ruby barb have only a narrow shared temperature range. Maintaining stable water temperature will be important.
Narrow pH overlap
These fish can share water but their ideal pH ranges overlap only slightly. Aim to keep pH stable in the shared range.
“Angelfish is semi-aggressive, while Black ruby barb is peaceful”
Temperament difference
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Black ruby barb can escape if harassed.
- •Black ruby barb should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- Seriously Fish. Pterophyllum scalare
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Pterophyllum scalare
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Pterophyllum scalare
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- Seriously Fish. Pethia nigrofasciata
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Pethia nigrofasciata
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Pethia nigrofasciata
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- Wikipedia. Black ruby barb
Overview and range. Cross-check all aquarium numbers against specialist care sheets before buying.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Angelfish + Black ruby barb
Plan further
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.