Can Peacock Bass Temensis and Striped Raphael Catfish Live Together?

Peacock Bass Temensis is a semi-aggressive species (7/10), while Striped Raphael Catfish is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Peacock Bass Temensis may occasionally assert dominance over Striped Raphael Catfish.

In terms of spatial distribution, Peacock Bass Temensis prefers the Middle (Open Water) and Top (Surface) zones, whereas Striped Raphael Catfish 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 fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species. Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

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

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 26°C and 30°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 28.0°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 2–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Peacock Bass Temensis and Striped Raphael Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 3000 litres with a minimum length of 300 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: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with high (river/stream) 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. Peacock Bass Temensis and Striped Raphael Catfish 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.