Purple Tetra Tank Mates

Purple Tetra is peaceful, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 121 freshwater species that pair well with a purple tetra — plus the 84 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 8, 2026 • Full Purple Tetra care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for a purple tetra

  • Ember Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Neon Green Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Dawn Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Assassin Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 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.
  • Glowlight Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °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 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Neon Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °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 22–26 °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 22–24 °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; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • 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)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Emperor Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Flame Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Glowlight Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Golden Dwarf Barb ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Phoenix Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Red Phantom Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Rosy Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Yellow Phantom Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Black Phantom Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Gold Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4.5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Lemon Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4.5 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.
  • X-ray Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
With caution

Purple Tetra 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 Purple Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 9 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Purple Tetra — 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 Purple Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
  • Ash Lipped Apisto ⚠️ With caution
    Hard care · Semi-aggressive · 7 cm · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    Ash Lipped Apisto is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Purple Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Auratus Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Aggressive · 11 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Purple Tetra 5.8–6.8 vs Auratus Cichlid 7.6–8.8) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • Badis ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Expect Badis to harass Purple Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Banded Dwarf Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 7 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Banded Dwarf Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Purple Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.

+ 127 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with a purple tetra

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

+ 76 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against a purple tetra

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

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Purple Tetra?

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

  • African Dwarf Frog✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Amapá Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Amapá Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Phantom Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 21–26 °C (70–79 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Blue Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Emperor Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Blue Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cardinal Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Cardinal Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Emperor Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Flame Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Flame Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Glowlight Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Glowlight Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Gold Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Gold Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Golden Dwarf Barb✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Golden Dwarf Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Jelly Bean Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Jelly Bean Tetra in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Lemon Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy 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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Lemon Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Marbled Hatchetfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Marbled Hatchetfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Otocinclus✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Otocinclus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Phoenix Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Phoenix Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rainbow Emperor Tetra✅ Compatible
    Semi-aggressive · 3.6 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra 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.
  • Red Phantom Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Red Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rosy Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Rosy Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Sparkling Gourami✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Strawberry Betta✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Threadfin Rainbowfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Threadfin Rainbowfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tiger Otocinclus✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tiger Otocinclus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Yellow Phantom Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °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 Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Yellow Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Darter Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Hard care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    • Black Darter Tetra and Purple Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add purple tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Turbo Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (5.8–6.8 vs 7.5–8.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cherry Shrimp⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • Adult Cherry Shrimp might survive with Purple Tetra, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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.
  • Endler's Livebearer⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (5.8–6.8 vs 7–8.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Water hardness preferences differ (Purple Tetra 1–8 vs Endler's Livebearer 10–25 dGH).
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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.
  • Ghost Shrimp⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • Adult Ghost Shrimp might survive with Purple Tetra, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ghost Shrimp in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Humpbacked Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Humpbacked Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Purple Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Humpbacked Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Japanese Trapdoor Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (5.8–6.8 vs 7–8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Purple 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 Purple Tetra 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.
  • Mystery Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (5.8–6.8 vs 7–8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rummy Nose Rasbora⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (5.8–6.8 vs 7–8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Rummy Nose Rasbora 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 Purple Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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 and Purple Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add purple tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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.
  • Spotfin Betta⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Spotfin Betta is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Purple Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Striped Red-Eye Puffer⚠️ With caution
    Aggressive · 5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Striped Red-Eye Puffer and Purple Tetra are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add purple tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tiger Badis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–24 °C (72–75 °F)
    • Tiger Badis and Purple Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add purple tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wine Red Betta⚠️ With caution
    Aggressive · 5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Wine Red Betta and Purple Tetra are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add purple tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Purple Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Purple Tetra is bite-sized to a 250 cm predatory alligator gar — it will be eaten.
    • Alligator Gar is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Purple Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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)
    • Clown Knifefish (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 4 cm Purple Tetra whole.
    • Clown Knifefish clearly outsizes Purple Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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)
    • Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 4 cm Purple Tetra whole.
    • Fire Eel clearly outsizes Purple Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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 4 cm): Koi will treat Purple Tetra as food.
    • Water hardness preferences differ (Purple Tetra 1–8 vs Koi 9–18 dGH).
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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)
    • Size gap is too large (120 vs 4 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Purple Tetra as food.
    • Expect Redtail Catfish to harass Purple Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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 4 cm): Spotted Gar will treat Purple Tetra as food.
    • Expect Spotted Gar to harass Purple Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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)
    • Size gap is too large (300 vs 4 cm): Wels Catfish will treat Purple Tetra as food.
    • Wels Catfish clearly outsizes Purple Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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 4 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Purple Tetra as food.
    • Different pH ranges (5.8–6.8 vs 7–8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Wolf Cichlid clearly outsizes Purple Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Purple Tetra 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 a purple tetra 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 a purple tetra

As a peaceful species, purple tetra 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.

Purple Tetra grows to about 4 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 22–26 °C (72–79 °F), pH 5.8–6.8 and 1–8 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Purple Tetra 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 a purple tetra live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 121 compatible freshwater species for purple tetra. 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 purple tetra?

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

What fish should you avoid keeping with a purple tetra?

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 purple tetra tank mates need?

Start from Purple Tetra'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 Purple Tetra care guide