Can Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 6, 2026
Not Recommended

Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera 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

Honey Blue Eye

Pseudomugil mellis

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi

🐟Family Group
Honey Blue Eye
Rainbowfish
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
Temperament
Honey Blue Eye
Peaceful (2/10)
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Peaceful (2/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Honey Blue Eye
20–28°C
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
20–25°C
pH Range
✗ No overlap
Honey Blue Eye
4.5–7
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
7.2–8
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Honey Blue Eye
1–8
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
8–15
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Honey Blue Eye
Freshwater Only
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Honey Blue Eye
Low
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 110 L
Honey Blue Eye
40 L
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
110 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 2 zones
Honey Blue Eye
TopMiddle
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
MiddleTop
🏷️Behavior Tags
Honey Blue Eye
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Shy / Slow Moving (Easily Stressed)
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerAggressive Eater (Starves shy fish)Jumper (Lid Required)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera 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.

Honey Blue Eye
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Both Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish are peaceful species with an aggression score of 2/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish both frequent the Top (Surface) and 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.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion. Aggressive eaters may outcompete shy fish for food, leading to malnutrition.

Worth noting: Honey Blue Eye is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 20°C and 25°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 22.5°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Honey Blue Eye (4.5–7) and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish (7.2–8) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 8–8 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 110 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.

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: Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice

Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera 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 Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish.

Show 10 more tank sizes

Diet & Feeding

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Lake Tebera Rainbowfish is an aggressive eater that may prevent Honey Blue Eye from getting enough food.

Because Lake Tebera Rainbowfish is a fast, competitive feeder, consider using sinking pellets or feeding at opposite ends of the setup to ensure Honey Blue Eye receives an adequate share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish live together?

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

What size tank do Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish need?

A minimum of 110 litres (tank length at least 90 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 Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish together?

Keep the aquarium between 20°C and 25°C. A target of around 22.5°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Honey Blue Eye or Lake Tebera Rainbowfish aggressive?

Honey Blue Eye is peaceful (2/10) and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do Honey Blue Eye and Lake Tebera Rainbowfish need?

Their pH requirements do not overlap. Honey Blue Eye prefers 4.5–7, while Lake Tebera Rainbowfish needs 7.2–8. 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 6, 2026
Last updated
May 6, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

Related Comparisons

Honey Blue Eye & Kabia rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Honey Blue Eye: Peaceful Kabia rainbowfish: Peaceful

Honey Blue Eye & Kiunga Blue Eye

·

Possible with Caution
Honey Blue Eye: PeacefulKiunga Blue Eye: Peaceful

Honey Blue Eye & Lorentz's Rainbowfish

·

Not Recommended
Honey Blue Eye: PeacefulLorentz's Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Honey Blue Eye & Mamberamo Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Honey Blue Eye: PeacefulMamberamo Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Honey Blue Eye & Ornate Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Honey Blue Eye: PeacefulOrnate Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Honey Blue Eye & Spotted Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Honey Blue Eye: PeacefulSpotted Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish & Ajamaru Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish: PeacefulAjamaru Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish & Allen's Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish: PeacefulAllen's Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish & Angfa Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish: PeacefulAngfa Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish & Axelrod's Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish: PeacefulAxelrod's Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish & Barred Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish: PeacefulBarred Rainbowfish: Peaceful

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish & Batanta Rainbowfish

·

Possible with Caution
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish: PeacefulBatanta Rainbowfish: Peaceful