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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Chili Rasbora live with Red-tailed catfish?

VerdictRISKY

Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.

Chili Rasbora + Red-tailed catfish: Aggression mismatch. Red-tailed catfish is aggressive, while Chili Rasbora is peaceful. The aggressive fish will likely bully or harm the peaceful one. Real tanks add variables Fishori cannot model; treat this as a high-risk read, not certainty.

Compatibility score

30/100

Profile confidence: medium

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

2000L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 2000L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C2428°C shared
Chili RasboraRed-tailed catfishShared window
pH
Range5.57 shared
Chili RasboraRed-tailed catfishShared window
Size / predation

Red-tailed catfish (120cm adult) may treat small Chili Rasbora (~2cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.

Temperament / behaviour

Chili Rasbora (peaceful) and Red-tailed catfish (aggressive) are far apart on aggression — bullying or injury is a common outcome in average community layouts.

Assessment details

  1. Aggression mismatch

    Top issue

    Red-tailed catfish is aggressive, while Chili Rasbora is peaceful. The aggressive fish will likely bully or harm the peaceful one.

  2. Red-tailed catfish may eat Chili Rasbora

    Red-tailed catfish (120cm) is predatory and Chili Rasbora (2cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.

  3. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

Red-tailed catfish is aggressive, while Chili Rasbora is peaceful

Aggression mismatch

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • Chili Rasbora should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.

Try instead

  • Chili Rasbora should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.
  • Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Chili Rasbora + Red-tailed catfish

Plan further

Try both species in the full-stock tank check, or open either fish profile for mates lists. 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. Based on multiple reputable aquarium care sources with strong agreement.