Can Bearded Cory and Fahaka Puffer Live Together?

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

Large aggression gap (8 points) between Bearded Cory and Fahaka Puffer increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Bearded Cory and Fahaka Puffer both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is no temperature overlap between Bearded Cory (16–23°C) and Fahaka Puffer (24–29°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.8 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 5–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Bearded Cory and Fahaka Puffer together, plan for an aquarium of at least 450 litres with a minimum length of 150 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: Sand (Sifters), Shells (Breeding/Hiding). 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.