Compatibility brief
Can Boesemani Rainbowfish live with Checkerboard cichlid?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
How we decideFishori checks adult size and predation risk, behaviour, water requirements and tank needs before giving a verdict.
150L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 150L (larger active fish often want more length).
Assessment details
Compatible temperaments
Both Boesemani Rainbowfish and Checkerboard cichlid share a peaceful temperament.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
Incompatible pH requirements
Top issueBoesemani Rainbowfish prefers pH 7–8 and Checkerboard cichlid prefers pH 4–6.5. Their ranges do not overlap.
Hardness preference mismatch
Boesemani Rainbowfish prefers hard water and Checkerboard cichlid prefers soft water. One of them lives outside its comfort band long-term — pick the tank's water for the more sensitive species.
“Boesemani Rainbowfish prefers pH 7–8 and Checkerboard cichlid…”
Incompatible pH requirements
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Boesemani Rainbowfish should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
Try instead
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- Seriously Fish. Melanotaenia boesemani
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Melanotaenia boesemani
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Melanotaenia boesemani
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. Dicrossus filamentosus
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Dicrossus filamentosus
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Dicrossus filamentosus
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Boesemani Rainbowfish + Checkerboard cichlid
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.