Can Celebes Rainbowfish and Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) Live Together?

Celebes Rainbowfish is a peaceful species (2/10), while Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) is semi-aggressive (8/10). This notable difference means Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) may occasionally assert dominance over Celebes Rainbowfish.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Celebes Rainbowfish and Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Celebes Rainbowfish and Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) 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: Celebes Rainbowfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both Celebes Rainbowfish and Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations. 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 23°C and 27°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 8 and 8.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–25 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Celebes Rainbowfish and Fairy Cichlid (Brichardi) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 132 litres with a minimum length of 75 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

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, Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). 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.