X-ray tetra tank mates
A transparent-bodied schooler with a visible spine. Easy to keep, tolerates moderate hardness, and schools tightly in groups of eight.
Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.
Best tank mates (on file)
Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Chili Rasbora as a safe tank mate. Chili Rasbora schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Corydoras Catfish as a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Corydoras Catfish swims in the bottom zone while X-ray tetra stays in the middle, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Dwarf Gourami as a recommended pairing. Dwarf Gourami is a peaceful beginner-care species with a 60L minimum. Run the pair checker for your specific tank before stocking.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Ember Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Ember Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Harlequin Rasbora as a recommended pairing. Harlequin Rasbora schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Neon Tetra as a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Pygmy Corydoras as a safe tank mate. Pygmy Corydoras schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The X-ray tetra profile lists Sparkling Gourami as a safe tank mate. Sparkling Gourami schools in groups of 6 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.
Angelfish reaches 20cm and is flagged predatory or as likely to eat small fish. Adult-size X-ray tetra at 4.5cm is inside that gape range. Angelfish is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at X-ray tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Betta is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at X-ray tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory or as likely to eat small fish. Adult-size X-ray tetra at 4.5cm is inside that gape range. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at X-ray tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Pea Puffer is flagged as a fin-nipper and X-ray tetra carries the long-finned risk profile (veil tails, trailing fins). Expect torn fins within days unless the nipper is in a proper group and the long-finned fish has plenty of cover. Pea Puffer is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Pea Puffer is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at X-ray tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Fish to avoid with X-ray tetra
From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. X-ray tetra at 4.5cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 60L minimum for X-ray tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and X-ray tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Green Terror reaches 30cm and is flagged predatory. X-ray tetra at 4.5cm is prey-sized for it. Green Terror needs at least 300L, far above the 60L minimum for X-ray tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Green Terror is rated aggressive and X-ray tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
African Cichlid reaches 15cm and is flagged predatory. X-ray tetra at 4.5cm is prey-sized for it. African Cichlid needs at least 200L, far above the 60L minimum for X-ray tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. African Cichlid is rated aggressive and X-ray tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for X-ray tetra: 60L — group minimum 6 (schooling).
- 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: 60L hub.
Plan before you buy
Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.
Filtration & heating
A 60L minimum tank for X-ray tetra needs a filter rated for at least 240L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–28°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Beckford Pencilfish — min 60L
- Black Neon Tetra — min 60L
- Bloodfin tetra — min 60L
- Cardinal Tetra — min 60L
- Glowlight Tetra — min 60L
- Green neon tetra — min 60L
- Lemon Tetra — min 60L
- Silver Tip Tetra — min 60L