Can Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 6, 2026
Not Recommended

Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish are not recommended as tank mates due to conflicting pH requirements. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Electric Blue Hap

Sciaenochromis fryeri

Lake Eacham Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia eachamensis

🐠Family Group
Electric Blue Hap
Cichlids - African
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
Temperament
Electric Blue Hap
Aggressive (7/10)
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
Peaceful (2/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Electric Blue Hap
24–28°C
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
23–27°C
pH Range
✗ No overlap
Electric Blue Hap
7.8–8.6
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
6.8–7.6
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Electric Blue Hap
10–25
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
5–15
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Electric Blue Hap
Freshwater Only
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Electric Blue Hap
Moderate
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 200 L
Electric Blue Hap
200 L
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
110 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Electric Blue Hap
MiddleBottom
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
TopMiddle
🏷️Behavior Tags
Electric Blue Hap
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Fry PredatorAggressive to same species/look-alikesTerritorial (Defends specific area)Hyperactive / Fast Swimmer
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Aggressive Eater (Starves shy fish)Fry Predator
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish?

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.

Electric Blue Hap
Lake Eacham Rainbowfish
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Electric Blue Hap is a semi-aggressive species (7/10), while Lake Eacham Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Electric Blue Hap may occasionally assert dominance over Lake Eacham Rainbowfish.

Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish 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: Lake Eacham Rainbowfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 27°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Electric Blue Hap (7.8–8.6) and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish (6.8–7.6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 200 litres with a minimum length of 120 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), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - lighly covered. 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.

Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice

Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish.

Show 5 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as critical behavioural conflicts — make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish need?

A minimum of 200 litres (tank length at least 120 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 Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish together?

Keep the aquarium between 24°C and 27°C. A target of around 25.5°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Electric Blue Hap or Lake Eacham Rainbowfish aggressive?

Electric Blue Hap is semi-aggressive (7/10) and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do Electric Blue Hap and Lake Eacham Rainbowfish need?

Their pH requirements do not overlap. Electric Blue Hap prefers 7.8–8.6, while Lake Eacham Rainbowfish needs 6.8–7.6. This makes them incompatible in the same water chemistry.

How do I manage Electric Blue Hap's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Electric Blue Hap space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.

Last reviewed
May 6, 2026
Last updated
May 6, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

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