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Last update: November 26, 2023

15 Best Swordtail Tank Mates – FishLab

Your swordtail needs company, but you’re not sure which fish will work in the same tank. We’ll help you out with our well-researched list of the 15 Best Swordtail Tank Mates!

The 15 Best Swordtail Tank Mates are fish that are just as comfortable in the same temperature and water range as the swordtail itself. They should also be peaceful in nature and too similar in size to eat the swordtail. Some examples of these are the common pleco and Madagascar rainbowfish.

In this article you’ll get a look at our list of the best candidates for the Swordtail fish’s tank mates. We’ll also let you see the advantages and disadvantages of each one, and some insight into how we picked out these fish. Let’s begin!

Swordtail Tank Mates – What You Need to Know

Temperament

The swordtail fish is generally very peaceful, though it can pick fights with other males of it’s own kind. That said, get tank mates that are also peaceful, or else too small or slow to attack the swordtail.

Size

A Swordtail fish is typically 5 inches (12cm) long when it reaches maturity and has a good diet. This means that any fish much larger may see the swordtail as a snack. Get fish similar in size or make sure there are plenty of plants to hide behind to avoid this.

Competition

Swordtails tend to eat omnivorous diets all throughout the day. Make sure that any tank mates do not try to hog all of the same diet at mealtime for the best tank mate results!

Parameters ; Tank Setup

 Swordtails like to have a tank that is set up with plenty of plants and fronds to hide behind and play around. They also need a temperature between 72 and 79 Fahrenheit (22 to 26C). Swordtails will be happy and feel safe as long as they have obstacles to interact with. Be sure to select tank mates that have the same needs!

15 Best Swordtail Tank Mates

  1. Common Pleco
  2. Betta Fish
  3. Angelfish
  4. Bala Shark
  5. Silver Dollar
  6. Black Molly
  7. Madagascar Rainbowfish
  8. Neon Tetra
  9. Harlequin Rasbora
  10. Guppy
  11. Zebra Danio
  12. Rosy Barb
  13. Dwarf Gourami
  14. Celestial Pearl Danio
  15. Lemon Tetra

Let’s examine each of these fish to see why they make excellent tank mates when it comes to the swordtail. 

1.   Common Pleco

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  • Scientific Name: Plecostomus
  • Adult Size: 15 inches (30cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Difficult
  • Origin: Venezuela

The common pleco is one of the more popular options in aquarium circles. This fish can get up to a very large size, but some also stay small. They are darkly colored but have bright yellow spots.

The pleco is fun to watch, mostly cruising along the bottom of the tank. It won’t think twice about your swordtail, in general!

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

2. Betta Fish

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  • Scientific Name: Betta splendens
  • Adult Size: 3 inches (7cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Thailand

Betta Fish are widely known and popular in aquarium owning communities. They are called Siamese fighting fish because they attack other members of their species and fight to the death. 

However, betta fish can be kept with swordtails without much trouble as long as they have enough room. They come in several different colors and morphs, and are famous for their flower-petal tails and fast movement.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression with enough room
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None

3.   Angelfish

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  • Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
  • Adult Size: 6 inches (15cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: South America

This beautiful and peaceful fish has exemplary good looks! Triangular in shape, it can get large, and likes to stay in schools of its own kind. 

The angelfish is typically cream-colored with black stripes that appear to go through its eye.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

4.   Bala Shark

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  • Scientific Name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus
  • Adult Size: 13 inches (33cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Southeast Asia

The Bala Shark’s shape is like a miniature version of its much larger and more famous namesake; however, it is technically a simple fish. This fish takes a long time to grow, and can eat smaller fish, so that is a risk.

However, with schools of its own kind, the young bala shark won’t harm your swordtail. They are silvery gray with black edging their fins.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • May eat smaller fish as it gets older

5.   Silver Dollar

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  • Scientific Name: Metynnis argentus
  • Adult Size: 6 inches (15cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Difficult
  • Origin: Brazil

This shining coin-like fish may get large, but it is also largely peaceful! The Silver Dollar likes to swim with its own kind and enjoys nothing better than hanging out in the middle of the aquarium, reflecting the light.

Silver Dollars are big, round, and iridescent silver in color. They won’t harm your swordtail, being naturally peaceful.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

6.   Black Molly

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  • Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops
  • Adult Size: 4 inches (10cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Central America

Black mollies are certainly interesting looking! They are quite peaceful omnivores, happy to leave your swordtail alone. 

Where they shine as tank mates is in their appearance. They are small, like little flakes of velvet floating in your aquarium to contrast swordtails’ variety in color. 

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

7.   Madagascar Rainbowfish

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  • Scientific Name: Bedotia madagascariensis
  • Adult Size: 3 inches (7cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Madagascar

A Madagascar rainbowfish is another friendly little addition to a swordtail tank. It likes to explore in schools. 

The Madagascar rainbowfish does not have the extravagant fins that a swordtail has, but it does have peach-pink fringing a white tail and a muted gold body with iridescent-to-black stripes.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

8.   Neon Tetra

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  • Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
  • Adult Size: 1 inch (2cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Brazil

The neon tetra is small, but it makes up for its tiny size with impactful color! It has a white belly, but is capped with neon red and neon blue colors. 

Neon tetras also like to be in a community of 6 or more of their own kind. Otherwise, they are peaceful and wouldn’t dream of harming their swordtail neighbors.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

9.   Harlequin Rasbora

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  • Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
  • Adult Size: 1 inch (2cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Sumatra, Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand

The Harlequin Rasbora has been flaunting its cute size, golden color, and signature black patch all around the world!

It is a popular aquarium addition due to its peaceful temperament. It can hang out in just about any tank with a few of its own kind to keep it company!

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

10. Guppy

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  • Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
  • Adult Size: 2 inches (5cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: South America

This fish has reached such great heights in terms of popularity that although it originated in South America, it is mostly captive-bred now. 

This is probably because the Guppy is very easy to care for, making it a favorite. Guppies also owe their popularity to their beautiful range of colors, adorably small size, and peaceful personalities.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

11. Zebra Danio

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  • Scientific Name: Danio rerio
  • Adult Size: 2 inches (5cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: East India

The zebra danio seems to have a permanently startled look on its face with its shiny, wide eye; but don’t worry! This fish is comfortable enough of its own kind. 

Zebra danios are small and shaped like tiny missiles. They have slate gray stripes interlocking with peach and yellow stripes.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

12. Rosy Barb

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  • Scientific Name: Puntius conchonius
  • Adult Size: 6 inches (12cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: India

This peaceful fish may not look to start fights, but that doesn’t mean it is boring to watch! A rosy barb is quick and loves to play tag. It is an easy fish to care for, too. 

Rosy barbs are named for their bright red and gold colors, with spiky fins.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

13. Dwarf Gourami

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  • Scientific Name: Trichogaster Ialius
  • Adult Size: 2 inches (5cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: India

The Dwarf Gourami is one of the smallest of its kind. It is also very peaceful, for its species! Dwarf Gouramis tend to hang out happily in the top of a tank. 

They also like to clean up algae in addition to their omnivorous diets. In terms of looks, dwarf gouramis are fairly pretty, with bright orange bodies that can sometimes be speckled with blue or gold blending into peachy pink.

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition
  • Cleans up tank

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

14. Celestial Pearl Danio

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  • Scientific Name: Danio margaritatus
  • Adult Size: 1 inch (2cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Thailand

Also called the galaxy rasbora or the fireworks rasbora, this fish is aptly named for its beautiful looks. It is typically dark blue, which is offset by brighter spots between yellow and white, like stars in the sky. 

Celestial Pearl Danios are peaceful and happy in a tank with other fish. 

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression
  • No food competition

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

15.  Lemon Tetra

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  • Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
  • Adult Size: 2 inches (5cm)
  • Compatible With: Swordtails
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Amazon

Lemon tetras are small, yellow, and orange with transparent fins. They are generally very peaceful, but swim quite energetically. They’ll be fun to watch in your tank!

In addition to being fun to watch, the little lemon tetra will never cause trouble for your swordtail fish!

Pros of keeping with Swordtail:

  • No aggression

Cons of keeping with Swordtail :

  • None!

Also read:

David Kusner

Veteran fish keeper and keen hobbyist with a serious case of MTS. My midlife crisis was the establishment of a fish room, much to my wife's horror. Little does she know it could be worse!!

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