Peacock Eel Tank Mates

Peacock Eel is semi-aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 4 freshwater species that pair well with a peacock eel — plus the 220 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 7, 2026 • Full Peacock Eel care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for a peacock eel

  • Marbled Hoplo ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 14 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Weather Loach ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 25 cm · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Snowball Pleco ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 16 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
With caution

Peacock Eel tank mates that can work with care

  • Adolf's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 5.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Peacock Eel may bully the smaller Adolf's Cory, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Agassiz's Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Peacock Eel may bully the smaller Agassiz's Corydoras, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Altifrons Geophagus ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Peacock Eel and Altifrons Geophagus can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
  • Angelicus Synodontis ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Peacock Eel and Angelicus Synodontis can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
  • Assassin Snail ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Peacock Eel may bully the smaller Assassin Snail, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Axelrod's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Peacock Eel may bully the smaller Axelrod's Cory, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
  • Bandit Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    Peacock Eel may bully the smaller Bandit Corydoras, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.

+ 108 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with a peacock eel

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Peacock Eel 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)
    Peacock Eel and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Koi ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Peaceful · 90 cm · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    Koi (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 30 cm Peacock Eel whole.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Peacock Eel and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.

+ 212 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against a peacock eel

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against a peacock eel, with the reasoning for each verdict.

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Peacock Eel?

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

  • Marbled Hoplo✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Snowball Pleco✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 16 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Weather Loach✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 25 cm · Easy care · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
  • Altifrons Geophagus⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and Altifrons Geophagus can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~378 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Altifrons Geophagus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Angelicus Synodontis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and Angelicus Synodontis can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Black Collared Catfish⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 27 cm · Hard care · 23–25 °C (73–77 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~243 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Clown Loach⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 30 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~400 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Elephant-nose Knifefish⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 35 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Gold Nugget Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 28 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~250 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Goldfish⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 30 cm · Medium care · 18–22 °C (64–72 °F)
    • Peacock Eel is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Goldfish — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Kissing Gourami⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Leopard Cactus Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Mango Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 28 cm · Hard care · 25–32 °C (77–90 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and Mango Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~265 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Pearl Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 28 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Silver Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and Silver Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Spotted Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Sunshine Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · Hard care · 23–29 °C (73–84 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~473 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • True Parrot Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 33 cm · Hard care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and True Parrot Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Yellow-spotted Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 35 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
    • Peacock Eel is bite-sized to a 250 cm predatory alligator gar — it will be eaten.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Peacock Eel is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Fire Eel⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Peacock Eel is bite-sized to a 100 cm predatory fire eel — it will be eaten.
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Koi⛔ Not recommended
    Peaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    • Koi (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 30 cm Peacock Eel whole.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • Size gap is too large (120 vs 30 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Peacock Eel as food.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
    • Spotted Gar (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 30 cm Peacock Eel whole.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Peacock Eel and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • Wels Catfish (300 cm) is big enough to swallow the 30 cm Peacock Eel whole.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Peacock Eel and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Wolf Cichlid may hunt Peacock Eel, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.

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 a peacock eel community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 150 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 a peacock eel

Being semi-aggressive, peacock eel can nip or harass smaller, slower or long-finned fish — give it space, broken sight-lines and similarly robust companions. It mostly occupies the bottom of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Peacock Eel grows to about 30 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 15 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), pH 6.5–7.5 and 5–15 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Peacock Eel doesn't need its own kind to feel secure; think twice before keeping more than one if it is territorial. 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 a peacock eel live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 4 compatible freshwater species for peacock eel. 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 a peacock eel?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Marbled Hoplo, Spotted Talking Catfish, Weather Loach. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with a peacock eel?

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 peacock eel tank mates need?

Start from Peacock Eel's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 150 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

← Back to the full Peacock Eel care guide