Can Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye Live Together?

Ideal Tank Mates

Yes, Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye are ideal tank mates. Both species share compatible water parameters and peaceful temperaments, making them well-suited for a community aquarium. A minimum tank size of 100 litres is recommended.


At a Glance

Black-Banded Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia nigrans

Delicate Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil tenellus

🐟Family Group
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
Delicate Blue-Eye
Rainbowfish
Temperament
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
Peaceful (2/10)
Delicate Blue-Eye
Peaceful (1/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
22–28°C
Delicate Blue-Eye
25–32°C
pH Range
✓ Compatible
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
5.5–8
Delicate Blue-Eye
5–7.5
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
4–15
Delicate Blue-Eye
5–15
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
Brackish Tolerant
Delicate Blue-Eye
Brackish Tolerant
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
Moderate
Delicate Blue-Eye
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 100 L
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
100 L
Delicate Blue-Eye
60 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 2 zones
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
TopMiddle
Delicate Blue-Eye
TopMiddle
🏷️Behavior Tags
Black-Banded Rainbowfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)
Delicate Blue-Eye
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Fry Predator
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Black-Banded Rainbowfish
Delicate Blue-Eye
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Black-Banded Rainbowfish is a peaceful species (2/10), while Delicate Blue-Eye is peaceful (1/10). This modest difference means Black-Banded Rainbowfish may occasionally assert dominance over Delicate Blue-Eye.

Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye both frequent the Top (Surface) and 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: Black-Banded Rainbowfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 25°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 5.5 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.

Tank Setup

To house Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye together, plan for an aquarium of at least 100 litres with a minimum length of 80 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: Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating. 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.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye.

Show 12 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye live together?

Yes. Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye are considered ideal tank mates. Their water parameters, temperaments, and behaviour profiles are well matched for a community aquarium.

What size tank do Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye need?

A minimum of 100 litres (tank length at least 80 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye together?

Keep the aquarium between 25°C and 28°C. A target of around 26.5°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Black-Banded Rainbowfish or Delicate Blue-Eye aggressive?

Black-Banded Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10) and Delicate Blue-Eye is peaceful (1/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do Black-Banded Rainbowfish and Delicate Blue-Eye need?

Both species overlap in the 5.5–7.5 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.


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