Can Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana Live Together?

Not Recommended

Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana are not recommended as tank mates due to piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates.. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye

Pseudomugil gertrudae

Silver Arowana

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

🐠Family Group
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
Rainbowfish
Silver Arowana
Oddballs
Temperament
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
Peaceful (2/10)
Silver Arowana
Semi-Aggressive (6/10)
Temperature
βœ“ Compatible
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
21–28Β°C
Silver Arowana
24–30Β°C
pH Range
βœ“ Compatible
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
6–7.5
Silver Arowana
6–7.5
Hardness (dGH)
βœ“ Compatible
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
5–15
Silver Arowana
1–12
Water Type
βœ“ Compatible
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
Freshwater Only
Silver Arowana
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
βœ“ Compatible
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
Moderate
Silver Arowana
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 1000 L
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
38 L
Silver Arowana
1000 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
TopMiddle
Silver Arowana
Top
🏷️Behavior Tags
Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Fry Predator
Silver Arowana
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Jumper (Lid Required)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerGenerally AggressiveTerritorial (Defends specific area)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana?

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.

Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye
Silver Arowana
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye is a peaceful species (2/10), while Silver Arowana is moderately assertive (6/10). This notable difference means Silver Arowana may occasionally assert dominance over Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye.

Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana both frequent the Top (Surface) 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 a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other β€” piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Worth noting: Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24Β°C and 28Β°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0Β°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 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 5–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana together, plan for an aquarium of at least 1000 litres with a minimum length of 240 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, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana live together?

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

What size tank do Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana need?

A minimum of 1000 litres (tank length at least 240 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 Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana together?

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

Are Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye or Silver Arowana aggressive?

Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye is peaceful (2/10) and Silver Arowana is moderately assertive (6/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye and Silver Arowana need?

Both species overlap in the 6–7.5 pH range. Consistency is key β€” avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage Silver Arowana's territorial behaviour?

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


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