Can Australian Pearl Arowana and Bearded Cory Live Together?

Australian Pearl Arowana is a highly aggressive species (9/10), while Bearded Cory is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Australian Pearl Arowana may occasionally assert dominance over Bearded Cory.

Large aggression gap (7 points) between Australian Pearl Arowana and Bearded Cory increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

In terms of spatial distribution, Australian Pearl Arowana prefers the Top (Surface) zone, whereas Bearded Cory occupies the Bottom (Substrate) zone. Because they use different levels of the water column, territorial disputes are less likely and the tank will appear more balanced.

Worth noting: Australian Pearl Arowana is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

There is no temperature overlap between Australian Pearl Arowana (24–30°C) and Bearded Cory (16–23°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 7.4. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 2–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Australian Pearl Arowana and Bearded Cory together, plan for an aquarium of at least 800 litres with a minimum length of 200 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Sand (Sifters). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.