Can Arfak Rainbowfish and Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) Live Together?

Arfak Rainbowfish is a peaceful species (2/10), while Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) is generally mild-mannered (4/10). This modest difference means Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) may occasionally assert dominance over Arfak Rainbowfish.

Arfak Rainbowfish and Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) both frequent the Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Arfak Rainbowfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Arfak Rainbowfish and Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 200 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - lighly covered, Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Leaf Litter/Blackwater. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Arfak Rainbowfish prefers High (River/Stream) flow while Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) needs Low (Still Water) flow. Consider positioning filter outlets and using baffles to create zones of different current intensity within the same tank.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. Arfak Rainbowfish and Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma) need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.