Emerald Dwarf Danio Tank Mates

Emerald Dwarf Danio is peaceful, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 125 freshwater species that pair well with an emerald dwarf danio — plus the 115 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 7, 2026 • Full Emerald Dwarf Danio care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for an emerald dwarf danio

  • Ember Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Neon Green Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Ramshorn Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Dawn Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Assassin Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Cherry Shrimp ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Endler's Livebearer ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Glowlight Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Gold Ring Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Neon Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Tail-spot Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Trinidad Guppy ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 19–24 °C (66–75 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Pygmy Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Glowlight Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Blue Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 21–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Emperor Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Flame Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Ghost Shrimp ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Glowlight Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Golden Dwarf Barb ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Phoenix Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
With caution

Emerald Dwarf Danio tank mates that can work with care

  • African Butterfly Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    African Butterfly Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Amazon Puffer ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Your 75 L tank is below the ~120 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Angelfish clearly outsizes Emerald Dwarf Danio and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
  • Banded Gourami ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Semi-aggressive · 12 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Expect Banded Gourami to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Bandit Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 9 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Bandit Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Bearded Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Black Darter Tetra ⚠️ With caution
    Hard care · Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    Different pH ranges (7–8 vs 3.5–6.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
  • Black Ruby Barb ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Black Ruby Barb is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.

+ 92 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with an emerald dwarf danio

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Emerald Dwarf Danio is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Alligator Gar (250 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Emerald Dwarf Danio whole.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Emerald Dwarf Danio whole.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Emerald Dwarf Danio is bite-sized to a 100 cm predatory fire eel — it will be eaten.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Emerald Dwarf Danio is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
  • Koi ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Peaceful · 90 cm · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    Size gap is too large (90 vs 2 cm): Koi will treat Emerald Dwarf Danio as food.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Size gap is too large (90 vs 2 cm): Spotted Gar will treat Emerald Dwarf Danio as food.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Size gap is too large (72 vs 2 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Emerald Dwarf Danio as food.

+ 107 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against an emerald dwarf danio

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against an emerald dwarf danio, with the reasoning for each verdict.

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Emerald Dwarf Danio?

We compare each fish against your emerald dwarf danio on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.

  • Assassin Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Celestial Pearl Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Celestial Pearl Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cherry Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Cherry Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Chili Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Chili Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dawn Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dawn Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dwarf Spotted Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dwarf Spotted Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ember Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Endler's Livebearer✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Endler's Livebearer in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Exclamation Point Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Exclamation Point Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Glowlight Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Glowlight Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Gold Ring Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Gold Ring Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Hummingbird Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 1.8 cm · Hard care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Lambchop Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Lambchop Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Green Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Green Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Nerite Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ramshorn Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ruby Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ruby Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Strawberry Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Strawberry Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tail-spot Corydoras✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tail-spot Corydoras in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tiger Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Hard care · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tiger Shrimp in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Trinidad Guppy✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 19–24 °C (66–75 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Darter Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Hard care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7–8 vs 3.5–6.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Expect Black Darter Tetra to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Emerald Dwarf Danio is small enough to tempt Black Darter Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Ruby Barb⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Black Ruby Barb is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Watch for Black Ruby Barb picking off any emerald dwarf danio small enough to fit in its mouth.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~100 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Black Ruby Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Crimson Red Betta⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3.5 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Emerald Dwarf Danio 7–8 vs Crimson Red Betta 4–6.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Crystal Red Shrimp⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Emerald Dwarf Danio 7–8 vs Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Fire Red Licorice Gourami⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3.5 cm · Hard care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Emerald Dwarf Danio 7–8 vs Fire Red Licorice Gourami 4–6.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (5–12 vs 0–4 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Green Neon Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7–8 vs 4.5–6.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Water hardness preferences differ (Emerald Dwarf Danio 5–12 vs Green Neon Tetra 0–4 dGH).
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Green Neon Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Morse Code Corydoras⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Morse Code Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Blue Rasbora⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Emerald Dwarf Danio 7–8 vs Neon Blue Rasbora 4–6.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Blue Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Pea Puffer⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Expect Pea Puffer to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Purple Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7–8 vs 5.8–6.8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rainbow Emperor Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 3.6 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Expect Rainbow Emperor Tetra to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Emerald Dwarf Danio is small enough to tempt Rainbow Emperor Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Rainbow Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Scarlet Badis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Expect Scarlet Badis to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Serpae Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Expect Serpae Tetra to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Serpae Tetra may hunt Emerald Dwarf Danio, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Serpae Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Silvertip Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Silvertip Tetra clearly outsizes Emerald Dwarf Danio and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Silvertip Tetra may hunt Emerald Dwarf Danio, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tiger Badis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–24 °C (72–75 °F)
    • Tiger Badis clearly outsizes Emerald Dwarf Danio and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Emerald Dwarf Danio is small enough to tempt Tiger Badis; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tucano Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 1.7 cm · Hard care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7–8 vs 4.5–6.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tucano Tetra in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Alligator Gar (250 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Emerald Dwarf Danio whole.
    • Alligator Gar is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Emerald Dwarf Danio is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
    • Clown Knifefish is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Fire Eel⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Emerald Dwarf Danio is bite-sized to a 100 cm predatory fire eel — it will be eaten.
    • Fire Eel is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Koi⛔ Not recommended
    Peaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    • Size gap is too large (90 vs 2 cm): Koi will treat Emerald Dwarf Danio as food.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Emerald Dwarf Danio whole.
    • Redtail Catfish is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Size gap is too large (90 vs 2 cm): Spotted Gar will treat Emerald Dwarf Danio as food.
    • Spotted Gar is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Emerald Dwarf Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    • Emerald Dwarf Danio is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
    • Expect Wels Catfish to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Size gap is too large (72 vs 2 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Emerald Dwarf Danio as food.
    • Expect Wolf Cichlid to harass Emerald Dwarf Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.

Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.

Setting up an emerald dwarf danio community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 75 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.

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How to choose

How to choose the right tank mates for an emerald dwarf danio

As a peaceful species, emerald dwarf danio is easily bullied — favour other calm, non-nippy fish and steer clear of boisterous or aggressive tank mates. It mostly occupies the middle of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Emerald Dwarf Danio grows to about 2 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 2 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 20–24 °C (68–75 °F), pH 7–8 and 5–12 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Emerald Dwarf Danio is a shoaling fish — stock a group of 8+ of its own kind first, then build compatible tank mates around them. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can an emerald dwarf danio live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 125 compatible freshwater species for emerald dwarf danio. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.

What is the best tank mate for an emerald dwarf danio?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Ember Tetra, Neon Green Rasbora, Ramshorn Snail. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with an emerald dwarf danio?

Avoid Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar, Redtail Catfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.

How big a tank do emerald dwarf danio tank mates need?

Start from Emerald Dwarf Danio's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 75 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

← Back to the full Emerald Dwarf Danio care guide