Can Balloon Molly and Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) Live Together?

Balloon Molly is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) is semi-aggressive (8/10). This notable difference means Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) may occasionally assert dominance over Balloon Molly.

Balloon Molly and Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) 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.

Worth noting: Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) 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 12–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Balloon Molly and Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 15000 litres with a minimum length of 600 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: Established Algae (Otocinclus), Plants - Densely covered, Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Balloon Molly prefers Low (Still Water) flow while Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) needs High (River/Stream) 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. Balloon Molly and Chao Phraya Giant Catfish (Paroon Shark) 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.