Can Glass Catfish and Peacock Eel Live Together?

Glass Catfish is a peaceful species (1/10), while Peacock Eel is peaceful (2/10). This modest difference means Peacock Eel may occasionally assert dominance over Glass Catfish.

In terms of spatial distribution, Glass Catfish prefers the Middle (Open Water) zone, whereas Peacock Eel occupies the Bottom (Substrate) zone. Because they use different levels of the water column, territorial disputes are less likely and the tank will appear more balanced.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Aggressive eaters may outcompete shy fish for food, leading to malnutrition.

Worth noting: Peacock Eel is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Peacock Eel is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

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.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–10 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Glass Catfish and Peacock Eel together, plan for an aquarium of at least 150 litres with a minimum length of 90 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

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 - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, 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.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. Glass Catfish and Peacock Eel need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Peacock Eel is an aggressive eater that may prevent Glass Catfish from getting enough food.

Because Peacock Eel is a fast, competitive feeder, consider using sinking pellets or feeding at opposite ends of the setup to ensure Glass Catfish receives an adequate share.