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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Corydoras Catfish live with Ropefish / reed fish?

VerdictRISKY

Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.

Corydoras Catfish + Ropefish / reed fish: Ropefish / reed fish may eat Corydoras Catfish. Ropefish / reed fish (30cm) is predatory and Corydoras Catfish (6cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe. 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

200L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 200L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C2426°C shared
Corydoras CatfishRopefish / reed fishShared window
pH
Range67.2 shared
Corydoras CatfishRopefish / reed fishShared window
Size / predation

Ropefish / reed fish (30cm adult) may treat small Corydoras Catfish (~6cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.

Assessment details

  1. Compatible temperaments

    Both Corydoras Catfish and Ropefish / reed fish share a peaceful temperament.

  2. Ropefish / reed fish may eat Corydoras Catfish

    Top issue

    Ropefish / reed fish (30cm) is predatory and Corydoras Catfish (6cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.

  3. Narrow temperature overlap

    Corydoras Catfish and Ropefish / reed fish have only a narrow shared temperature range. Maintaining stable water temperature will be important.

Ropefish / reed fish (30cm) is predatory and Corydoras…

Ropefish / reed fish may eat Corydoras Catfish

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • Corydoras Catfish should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.

Try instead

  • Corydoras Catfish should be kept in a group of at least 6 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.
  • Seriously Fish. Corydoras paleatus

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Corydoras paleatus

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Corydoras paleatus

    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. Erpetoichthys calabaricus

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Erpetoichthys calabaricus

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Erpetoichthys calabaricus

    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 Corydoras Catfish + Ropefish / reed fish

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.