What fish can live with Apistogramma Macmasteri?

Use the "Often compatible" lists as a shortlist, not a stocking plan. Always run the pair tool and check the footprint of your actual tank first. Verify behaviour for Apistogramma Macmasteri against your own reading before you buy.

What tank mates should you avoid with Apistogramma Macmasteri?

Avoid Tiger Barb, Oscar, Jack Dempsey, German Blue Ram based on size, temperament, or predation risk on file.

What size tank do Apistogramma Macmasteri need for a community?

100L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload headroom. Long-term, a 120L+ tank lets adults use the full footprint without crowding the next species. Footprint, meaning length and front-to-back depth, matters as much as raw volume for active or territorial species.

Apistogramma Macmasteri tank mates

Colourful, classic apisto. Demands soft warm acidic water and one pair per tank. Pick borellii first if your tap is hard.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.

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Best tank mates (on file)

Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.

Cardinal Tetra Pair check
The Apistogramma Macmasteri profile lists Cardinal Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Cardinal Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Corydoras Catfish Pair check
The Apistogramma Macmasteri profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Otocinclus Pair check
The Apistogramma Macmasteri profile lists Otocinclus as both safe and a recommended pairing. Otocinclus schools in groups of 4 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Rummy Nose Tetra Pair check
The Apistogramma Macmasteri profile lists Rummy Nose Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Rummy Nose Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.

Risky or situational

From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.

Dwarf Gourami Open pair check
Both species defend territory. The pairing needs a long footprint and rockwork or planting that breaks the sightline between two defended spots. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Neon Tetra Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.

Fish to avoid with Apistogramma Macmasteri

From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.

Tiger Barb See why (pair)
Tiger Barb conflicts with Apistogramma Macmasteri on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Apistogramma Macmasteri at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 100L minimum for Apistogramma Macmasteri. The tank that houses one stresses the other.
Jack Dempsey See why (pair)
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Apistogramma Macmasteri at 7cm is prey-sized for it.
German Blue Ram See why (pair)
German Blue Ram conflicts with Apistogramma Macmasteri on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Apistogramma Macmasteri: 100L — group minimum 1 .
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 100L hub.

Easier alternatives to consider

Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.

Plan before you buy

Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.

Open compatibility checker Tank builder

Filtration & heating

A 100L minimum tank for Apistogramma Macmasteri needs a filter rated for at least 400L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 24–29°C.

Filter buying guide →Heater buying guide →Beginner plants guide →