Tomato Clownfish Tank Mates
Tomato Clownfish is semi-aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 12 freshwater species that pair well with a tomato clownfish — plus the 2 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.
The best tank mates for a tomato clownfish
- Clown Goby ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Neon Goby ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Banggai Cardinalfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Blue Damselfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Firefish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Green Chromis ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Royal Gramma ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Six Line Wrasse ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Yellow Watchman Goby ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 9 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Blenny ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Lawnmower Blenny ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 13 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Mandarin Dragonet ✅ CompatibleHard care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
Tomato Clownfish tank mates that can work with care
- Bicolor Angelfish ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Blue Tang ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 30 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Clarkii Clownfish ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 14 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Two clownfish (Tomato Clownfish + Clarkii Clownfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Cleaner Wrasse ⚠️ With cautionHard care · Peaceful · 11 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Coral Beauty Angelfish ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Diamond Goby ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Emperor Angelfish ⚠️ With cautionHard care · Semi-aggressive · 38 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~850 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Flame Angelfish ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Your 110 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
+ 12 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.
Fish to avoid keeping with a tomato clownfish
- Maroon Clownfish ⛔ AvoidMedium care · Aggressive · 15 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Tomato Clownfish and Maroon Clownfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Domino Damselfish ⛔ AvoidEasy care · Aggressive · 14 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Tomato Clownfish and Domino Damselfish will hold territory and clash.
Check any fish against a tomato clownfish
Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against a tomato clownfish, with the reasoning for each verdict.
Tank-mate checker
Will it live with a Tomato Clownfish?
We compare each fish against your tomato clownfish on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Banggai Cardinalfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Blenny✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Blue Damselfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Clown Goby✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Firefish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Green Chromis✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Green Chromis in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Lawnmower Blenny✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 13 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Mandarin Dragonet✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Neon Goby✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Royal Gramma✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Six Line Wrasse✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Yellow Watchman Goby✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Blue Tang⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Clarkii Clownfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two clownfish (Tomato Clownfish + Clarkii Clownfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Cleaner Wrasse⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 11 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Coral Beauty Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Diamond Goby⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Flame Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Foxface Rabbitfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 24 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Kole Tang⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 18 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Melanurus Wrasse⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Ocellaris Clownfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two clownfish (Tomato Clownfish + Ocellaris Clownfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Percula Clownfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two clownfish (Tomato Clownfish + Percula Clownfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Purple Tang⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Regal Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~480 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Yellow Coris Wrasse⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Yellow Tang⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 20 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Your 110 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Domino Damselfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Tomato Clownfish and Domino Damselfish will hold territory and clash.
- Maroon Clownfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Tomato Clownfish and Maroon Clownfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Two clownfish (Tomato Clownfish + Maroon Clownfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
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 tomato clownfish community tank
Give the group a stable, planted 110 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 the right tank mates for a tomato clownfish
Being semi-aggressive, tomato clownfish can nip or harass smaller, slower or long-finned fish — give it space, broken sight-lines and similarly robust companions. It ranges across the whole water column, so tank mates that keep to one level help reduce friction.
Tomato Clownfish grows to about 14 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 7 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 24–27 °C (75–81 °F), pH 8–8.4 and 8–12 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.
Tomato Clownfish 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tomato clownfish live with other fish?
Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 12 compatible freshwater species for tomato clownfish. 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 tomato clownfish?
Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Clown Goby, Neon Goby, Banggai Cardinalfish. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.
What fish should you avoid keeping with a tomato clownfish?
Avoid Maroon Clownfish, Domino Damselfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.
How big a tank do tomato clownfish tank mates need?
Start from Tomato Clownfish's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 110 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.