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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Molly live with Tiger Barb?

Molly

Molly

Poecilia sphenops

peaceful~10cm
Tiger Barb

Tiger Barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

semi-aggressive~7cm
VerdictRISKY

Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.

Molly + Tiger Barb: Known incompatible pairing. Hard-water molly vs soft-leaning nippy barb squad: chemistry clash plus fin-nipping pressure on sailfin-type fins. The stack lands this in avoid territory. Real tanks add variables Fishori cannot model; treat this as a high-risk read, not certainty.

Compatibility score

25/100

Profile confidence: medium

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

Min tank

80L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 80L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C24–27°C shared
MollyTiger BarbShared window
pH
Range7.5–7.5 shared
MollyTiger BarbShared window
Temperament / behaviour

Temperament gap (peaceful vs semi-aggressive) adds stress on top of the hard incompatibility — space and cover do not make this pairing safe.

Assessment details

  1. Known incompatible pairing

    Top issue

    Hard-water molly vs soft-leaning nippy barb squad: chemistry clash plus fin-nipping pressure on sailfin-type fins. The stack lands this in avoid territory.

  2. Temperament difference

    Tiger Barb is semi-aggressive, while Molly is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.

  3. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

  4. 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.

  5. Hardness preference mismatch

    Molly prefers hard water and Tiger Barb prefers soft water. One of them lives outside its comfort band long-term — pick the tank's water for the more sensitive species.

“Hard-water molly vs soft-leaning nippy barb squad: chemistry…”

Known incompatible pairing

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Molly can escape if harassed.
  • •Tiger Barb should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.
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 Molly + Tiger Barb

Compare another pairOpen tank builder

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.

Full tank-mate guides

Related pair checks

Other tank mates for Molly

Molly + Tiger Barb — common questions

Can Molly live with Tiger Barb?
For most keepers, no. The verdict is RISKY: at least one check fails hard for a typical home tank. Choose a different pairing, or read the assessment details on this page to see exactly what fails before deciding.
What tank size do you need for Molly and Tiger Barb together?
Plan around 80 litres as the working minimum. That figure comes from each species' published minimum and their group needs, and it assumes adult sizes, not shop sizes.
What's the main risk?
Known incompatible pairing. That is the check that fails outright for this pair. The matching entry under assessment details on this page explains the reasoning and the numbers behind it.
What should you check before buying?
Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Molly can escape if harassed. Tiger Barb should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.