What fish can live with Splash tetra?

Usually safer companions on this hub include Chili Rasbora, Dwarf pencilfish, Ember Tetra, Golden / Beckford's pencilfish, Panda Corydoras. Open each pair check before you buy — the list is a shortlist, not a guarantee.

What tank mates should you avoid with Splash tetra?

Avoid African Cichlid, Jack Dempsey, Oscar based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.

What size tank do Splash tetra need for a community?

80L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload. A 98L+ tank is the more comfortable long-term footprint. Length and depth matter as much as raw litres for active or territorial fish.

Splash tetra tank mates

A fascinating tetra that jumps onto overhanging leaves to deposit eggs above water. Needs a species-specific setup to observe this natural behaviour.

Common mistakeSkipping overhanging plants and a tight lid is how keepers miss the egg-depositing behaviour that makes splash tetras interesting — and lose jumpers. Soft acidic water and a real school of six matter as much as the novelty label on the bag.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Each name below opens a pair check with Splash tetra. That check is the decision, not the list itself.

← Full Splash tetra profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More tetra

Usually safer companions

Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.

Chili Rasbora Pair check
The Splash tetra profile lists Chili Rasbora as a safe tank mate. Chili Rasbora schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Chili Rasbora grows to about 2cm, which is borderline mouth-size for an adult 5cm Splash tetra.
Dwarf pencilfish Pair check
The Splash tetra profile lists Dwarf pencilfish as a recommended pairing. Dwarf pencilfish schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Ember Tetra Pair check
The Splash tetra profile lists Ember Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Ember Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Ember Tetra grows to about 2cm, which is borderline mouth-size for an adult 5cm Splash tetra.
Golden / Beckford's pencilfish Pair check
The Splash tetra profile lists Golden / Beckford's pencilfish as a recommended pairing. Golden / Beckford's pencilfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Panda Corydoras Pair check
The Splash tetra profile lists Panda Corydoras as a safe tank mate. Panda Corydoras schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Panda Corydoras swims in the bottom zone while Splash tetra stays in the top, so the two will not crowd the same water column.

Risky or situational

May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.

Betta Open pair check
Betta is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Splash tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Corydoras Catfish Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
German Blue Ram Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Pea Puffer Open pair check
Pea Puffer is flagged as a fin-nipper and Splash tetra carries the long-finned risk profile (veil tails, trailing fins). Expect torn fins within days unless the nipper is in a proper group and the long-finned fish has plenty of cover. Pea Puffer is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Pea Puffer is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Splash tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.

Fish to avoid with Splash tetra

Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.

African Cichlid See why (pair)
African Cichlid reaches 15cm and is flagged predatory. Splash tetra at 5cm is prey-sized for it. African Cichlid needs at least 200L, far above the 80L minimum for Splash tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. African Cichlid is rated aggressive and Splash tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Jack Dempsey See why (pair)
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Splash tetra at 5cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey needs at least 200L, far above the 80L minimum for Splash tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Splash tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Splash tetra at 5cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 80L minimum for Splash tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Splash tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Splash tetra: 80L. Group minimum 6 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 80L hub.

Easier alternatives to consider

Hardier first-tank names from the library. Still read the profile. Not a substitute for reading this one.

Plan before you buy

Start a pair check with Splash tetra, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.

Open pair checker Open this plan in builder

Tank hubs: 80L

Filtration & heating

A 80L minimum tank for Splash tetra needs a filter rated for at least 320L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 23–28°C.

Filter size guide →Heater size guide →Tank setup checklist →Beginner plants guide →

Related (care + temperament)