Can Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 11, 2026
Not Recommended

Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo 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

Fort Maguire Peacock

Aulonocara hansbaenschi

Mamberamo Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia mamberamo

🐠Family Group
Fort Maguire Peacock
Cichlids - African
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
Temperament
Fort Maguire Peacock
Semi-Aggressive (6/10)
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
Peaceful (2/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Fort Maguire Peacock
24–28°C
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
24–28°C
pH Range
✗ No overlap
Fort Maguire Peacock
7.8–8.6
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
6.2–7.5
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Fort Maguire Peacock
10–25
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
4–12
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Fort Maguire Peacock
Freshwater Only
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Fort Maguire Peacock
Moderate
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
Low
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 208 L
Fort Maguire Peacock
208 L
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
150 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Fort Maguire Peacock
BottomMiddle
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
TopMiddle
🏷️Behavior Tags
Fort Maguire Peacock
Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Fry Predator
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Fry Predator
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo 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.

Fort Maguire Peacock
Mamberamo Rainbowfish
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Fort Maguire Peacock is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while Mamberamo Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Fort Maguire Peacock may occasionally assert dominance over Mamberamo Rainbowfish.

Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo 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: Mamberamo 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 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Fort Maguire Peacock (7.8–8.6) and Mamberamo Rainbowfish (6.2–7.5) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 208 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), Plants - Densely 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

Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo 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 Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish.

Show 5 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish live together?

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

What size tank do Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish need?

A minimum of 208 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 Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish together?

Keep the aquarium between 24°C and 28°C. A target of around 26.0°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Fort Maguire Peacock or Mamberamo Rainbowfish aggressive?

Fort Maguire Peacock is moderately assertive (6/10) and Mamberamo 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 Fort Maguire Peacock and Mamberamo Rainbowfish need?

Their pH requirements do not overlap. Fort Maguire Peacock prefers 7.8–8.6, while Mamberamo Rainbowfish needs 6.2–7.5. This makes them incompatible in the same water chemistry.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

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

Last reviewed
May 11, 2026
Last updated
May 11, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

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