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15 Great Tank Mates for Harlequin Rasboras (With Pictures)

Lindsey Stanton Profile Picture

By Lindsey Stanton

harlequin rasbora

If you are planning to house harlequin rasboras in an aquarium, you are in for a real treat. They are truly beautiful fish. However, you might want to keep more than just harlequin rasboras in the same tank. Yes, a community tank is always a great thing to have, as long as all of the community members get along. So, what are the best tank mates for Harlequin Rasboras?

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What Fish Can Live With Harlequin Rasboras?

What you need to keep in mind about harlequin rasboras is that they are shoaling or schooling fish that like to live in schools of at least eight to 10 fish. Next, these fish will grow to around 2 inches at most, so they are fairly small. Harlequin rasboras are very peaceful fish that get along with most other species just fine. They are not aggressive or territorial either.

These fish may become shy or reclusive when kept on their own, but they still donโ€™t get aggressive. Finally, harlequin rasboras will usually stick to the middle of the water column.

The 15 Great Tank Mates For Harlequin Rasboras

Here is a rundown of what we feel are the best 15 options and why:

1. Other Harlequin Rasboras

rasbora
Image Credit: Salparadis, Shutterstock

As we mentioned before, harlequin rasboras are schooling fish. They do not like to live alone and do best when kept in schools of at least eight to 10 of their own kind. Therefore, the best tank mates for them are nine other harlequin rasboras. The main reason for they like living with their own species so much is that they feel more comfortable in large groups, and when there are predators around, one of the best defenses is safety in numbers.


2. Neon Tetras & Cardinal Tetras

cardinal tetra
Image Credit: Pixabay

Tetra fish make for good tank mates as well. Here, the best options include neon tetras and cardinal tetras. Both of these fish are very small and rarely grow to over 1.5 inches in length. Keep in mind that these fish also like to be kept in schools of at least six of 10 fish, and you will need a tank large enough to house two small schools of fish.

Yes, both of these fish like to swim in the center of the tank, in the middle of the water column, but this should not be a problem if the tank is large enough. Moreover, neon and cardinal tetras are both very small and peaceful fish that are non-aggressive or territorial.ย Rasboras are quite friendly too, so the fish wonโ€™t bother each other. Something else to think about is that neon and cardinal tetras have a lot of blues and reds on them, which will make for a nice contrast with the rasboras.

All three of these types of fish are warm-water tropical fish that require about the same water conditions and water parameters.


3. Cory Catfish

albino cory catfish
Image Credit: Pxfuel

Cory catfish, otherwise known as Corydoras, also make for great harlequin rasboras tank mates. Cory catfish will grow to around 2.5 inches in length, so they are about the same size as harlequin rasboras.ย Cory catfish are big-time scavengers and foragers. These are bottom-feeding fish that prefer to forage for food at the bottom of the tank. So, not only are they not large enough to cause problems for your harlequin rasboras, but they are not at all interested in eating other fish.

Cory catfish are very peaceful and non-aggressive. They have pretty dark colors, which should help create a good deal of color contrast between them and harlequin rasboras. These catfish like to be kept in groups of at least six, so make sure to get a tank with enough room for a school of Corydoras and a school of harlequin rasboras. Yes, both of the fish can easily survive in the same water conditions and parameters, as well as in the same tank setup.

In fact, cory catfish make for great aquarium cleaners that will clean messes left behind by harlequin rasboras. Both fish also like fairly heavily planted tanks.


4. Plecos

orange pleco
Image Credit: David Tadevosian, Shutterstock

Next, the common pleco also makes for a decent tank mate. Plecos can grow to 2 feet in length, and they are several times larger than harlequin rasboras. However, plecos are some of the most peaceful fish around. They are non-aggressive and are not territorial either. Even if they were aggressive or territorial, plecos are bottom dwellers and scavengers, and they will stick to the bottom of the tank and leave the middle of the water column for the harlequin rasboras.

On that same note, plecos donโ€™t really eat other fish, almost never, as they prefer foraging for dead plant matter, algae, small crustaceans, insects, and other material. Being bottom feeders is also beneficial because plecos will clean up uneaten food left behind by the harlequin rasboras. Although there is a big size difference between the two, plecos are peaceful bottom feeders and will avoid interaction with schools of harlequin rasboras.

Furthermore, both fish like heavily planted tanks, and they can both survive in the same tank setup and water parameters. The darker colors of the pleco will also go nicely with the bright and vibrant coats of harlequin rasboras.


5. Danios

danios
Image Credit: Andrej Jakubik, Shutterstock

Just like harlequin rasboras, danios are schooling fish that need to be kept in numbers. You will need a tank large enough to house eight to 10 harlequin rasboras and about six danios at the least. Both of these fish usually swim in the middle of the water column, but if you get a tank that is large enough, this should not be a problem. Danios also come in several colors, and you can be sure to find one type suitable to make a great-looking aquarium community.

Danios are very peaceful and non-aggressive fish, they donโ€™t like to bother others, and they donโ€™t cause trouble. They are very fast, active, and agile swimmers, and they zip around tanks with speed, but they wonโ€™t bother your harlequin rasboras.

Danios only grow to around 2.5 inches at most, and even if they were aggressive, they are not large enough to pose any threat to your harlequin rasboras, as they are of equal size. Both fish like to live in heavily planted tanks and can survive in the same water conditions and tank parameters.


6. Dwarf Gourami

dwarf gourami close up
Image Credit: Steve Bower, Shutterstock

The dwarf gourami is such a peaceful and non-aggressive fish that it will allow itself to get bullied to death by other fish. Therefore, the dwarf gourami will not cause problems for your harlequin rasboras, and the rasboras are friendly enough that they will leave the gouramis alone too. The gouramis usually swim in the bottom third of the tank, and while they may come into contact with the harlequin rasboras on occasion, they wonโ€™t interact too much.

Dwarf gouramis grow to around 3.5 inches in length, so they wonโ€™t get too much bigger than your harlequin rasboras, and the rasboras should still feel comfortable. Dwarf gouramis are some of the most beautiful fish around too, and they can come with stripes, spots, or even stripes made of small spots. And yes, they come in every color under the rainbow too.

At the same time, both of these fish also prefer a lot of vegetation, they can live in the same tank setup, and theyโ€™re tropical fish that require virtually the same water parameters.


7. Zebra Loaches

zebra loach
Image Credit: Besjunior, Shutterstock

Zebra loaches, as the name implies, have stripes, and they usually feature fairly dull and dark colors, thus making for a good color contrast with harlequin rasboras. Loaches are very long fish that almost resemble a mix between an eel and a fish. They can grow to around 3.5 inches, and they are not much larger than harlequin rasboras. Also, there is no risk of either fish-eating one another. The zebra loach is considered to be one of the more peaceful types of loach around, and even though they are a bit bigger than harlequin rasboras, they wonโ€™t bother them.

Loaches are bottom feeders, scavengers, and bottom dwellers, which means that they eat detritus and very small crustaceans. They wonโ€™t try to eat harlequin rasboras or get in their way.ย Harlequin rasboras will stick to the middle of the water column, while loaches will stay on the bottom by the substrate. The chances of these fish interacting with one another, let alone attacking one another, are minimal at best.

Yes, both fish also need the same substrate, they like heavily planted tanks, and they can survive in the same water conditions.


8. Mollies

molly fish
Image Credit: Praisaeng, Shutterstock

Molly fish are schooling fish, although their schools donโ€™t need to be huge. They should be kept in groups of at least four, and remember that you will need a tank large enough to house schools of mollies and rasboras.ย They both like to swim near the middle of the water column, but this should not be a problem if your tank is large enough.

Mollies are fairly small and will top out at around 3 inches in length, so they are not large enough to make harlequin rasboras feel uncomfortable or pose a threat to them.ย Moreover, mollies are generally very peaceful, non-aggressive, and non-territorial fish, as are harlequin rasboras, so they should not bother each other much. Both species do fine in heavily planted tanks with the same substrate and water conditions.


9. Platies

Bumble Bee Platy - Tropical Fish - Yellow - School of fish
Image Credit: Richelle Cloutier, Shutterstock

Platies have an orange color, and even though there wonโ€™t be much color contrast, they are still very nice-looking fish nonetheless. Platies will grow to between 1.5 and 2.5 inches in length, and they are roughly the same size as harlequin rasboras. Remember that platies are schooling fish that should be kept in groups of five at the least, which should not be a problem if your tank is large enough.

Platies stick to the bottom third of the tank, and there should not be much interaction between them and harlequin rasboras. Also, platies are very peaceful and mildly tempered fish that donโ€™t really bother others at all.ย The harlequin rasboras will get along with them just fine. Furthermore, both fish can survive in the same tank set up with the same water conditions, and their tanks should be heavily planted.


10. Cherry Barbs

cherry barb
Image Credit: Besjunior, Shutterstock

Cherry barbs also make for great harlequin rasboras tank mates. Cherry barbs, as the name implies, have a nice red color, and they will definitely bring more life to any community fish tank. Barbs are known for being a bit aggressive at times, but cherry barbs are the least aggressive of their species. Barbs are fish that like to live in small schools, so you should keep at least five of them together.

Also, both fish like to share the same space in terms of the water column, so be sure to get a tank large enough to house small schools of both.ย Next, although barbs can be aggressive, cherry barbs are not very temperamental, and if you give them enough space, they will not bother your harlequin rasboras, and vice versa.

More importantly, cherry barbs will grow to around 1.5 or 2 inches in length, and even if they are a bit aggressive, they are too small to pose a threat to your harlequin rasboras. Both species like planted tanks, need the same substrate, and can survive in the same water conditions.


11. Hatchetfish

hatchetfish
Image Credit: chonlasub woravichan, Shutterstock

A small hatchet fish, like the Polyipnus Danae hatchet fish, is another good option to consider. You want to avoid any larger species of hatchet fish, as they are known for being aggressive and eating fish much smaller than themselves.

However, the Polyipnus Danae hatchet fish tops out at around 1 inch in length, maybe 1.2 inches, and it is not large enough to pose a danger to your harlequin rasboras. Due to their small size, the hatchet fish tend to be skittish, shy, and peaceful. Also, hatchet fish are naturally deep water fish; they will stick to the bottom third of the tank and generally wonโ€™t interact with fish higher up in the water column.

Hatchet fish generally come in darker colors, so they blend in with the deep but often feature some blue, therefore making for a nice color contrast between them and harlequin rasboras. Although these guys are deep water fish, they are often found in tropical waters and do just fine in harlequin rasboras tanks.


12. Guppies

different types and colors of guppy rainbow fish
Image Credit: panpilai paipa, Shutterstock

Guppies are some very colorful fish that can come in several colors, patterns, and color combinations, and you can be sure to find some that will create good color contrast in your community aquarium. Guppies are schooling fish, and they should be kept in large groups of around 10 fish or more. They also like to stick to the middle of the water column. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have a tank large enough to house both schools of fish in comfort.

Guppies grow to between 1.5 and 2.5 inches in length, and in no way are they large enough to pose any sort of threat to harlequin rasboras. Harlequin rasboras are more than peaceful enough so they will leave the guppies alone.

Guppies are very peaceful either way, and housing them together with harlequin rasboras should not be an issue. These fish make for rather perfect tank mates.


13. Various Snails

Two snails Ampularia yellow and brown striped glass aquarium
Image Credit: Madhourse, Shutterstock

Snails are always a go-to option for any aquarium. They help clean the tanks by eating algae, uneaten food, and rotting plants. Snails cannot and will not bother your harlequin rasboras, and that goes the other way around too. In no way are your harlequin rasboras going to be interested in the snails.


14. Various Shrimp

Red Blood saltwater cleaner shrimp - Lysmata Debelius
Image By: Vojce, Shutterstock

You can also try putting small aquarium shrimp in the fish tank with the harlequin rasboras. Small cherry shrimp are great tank cleaners, and because they live at the bottom of the tank, they also wonโ€™t bother your harlequin rasboras. Most shrimp are also large enough to leave you harlequin rasboras alone but small enough to not pose a threat to them.

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FAQs

Can Neon Tetras Live With Harlequin Rasboras?

Yes, as covered above, neon tetras, cardinal tetras, and really all tetras make for great harlequin rasboras tank mates. Both fish are non-aggressive, but tetras are a bit smaller than harlequin rasboras. They can survive in the same tank set up with the same water parameters.

Can Harlequin Rasboras Live With Guppies?

Yes, guppies make for great harlequin rasboras tank mates. Both fish are about the same size and can live in the same tank set up with the same water parameters.

Can Shrimp Live With Harlequin Rasboras?

Yes, shrimp can also live with harlequin rasboras. Most shrimp are small and fairly peaceful. They live at the bottom of the tank and generally donโ€™t start any trouble.ย They are foragers and hunt for very small prey, but harlequin rasboras are not nearly small enough for them to eat. Harlequin rasboras wonโ€™t bother the shrimp either.

What Fish Should I Avoid Adding to My Rasborasโ€™ Tank?

There are a few fish that you should avoid putting in the same tank with your harlequin rasboras.

Avoid these fish:
  • Blue ram cichlids
  • Large and aggressive cichlids
  • Large and aggressive barbs
  • Redtail sharks
  • Bala sharks
  • Betta fish

Realistically speaking, you want to avoid any fish that is over twice the size of harlequin rasboras. However, tank mates may be larger than rasboras if they are peaceful, not territorial, and preferably if they do not swim in the same space as the harlequin rasboras. In other words, peaceful bottom feeders, even large ones, tend to be safe tank mates.

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Conclusion

The bottom line is there are plenty of options for tank mates, but these fish are some of the primary picks that we feel make the best tank mates for harlequin rasboras. As long as the other fish are not much larger and aggressive, most species will get along with harlequin rasboras. You are creating a community aquarium, and communities need to be cohesive.


Featured Image Credit: Joan Carles Juarez, Shutterstock

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