Back to Tricolor Lily fish guides

Is Tricolor Lily a Good Plant for Bulolo Rainbowfish?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 3, 2026
Not Recommended

Tricolor Lily is not recommended for Bulolo Rainbowfish. The issue is practical, not cosmetic: the fish wants a very different current pattern than the plant prefers.

Tricolor Lily

Nymphaea micrantha

View plant profile
PlacementMidground
LightModerate
DifficultyIntermediate
Size40 × 25 cm

Bulolo Rainbowfish

Chilatherina bulolo

View fish profile
TemperamentPeaceful
FamilyRainbowfish
Temp22–28°C
Water TypeFreshwater Only

Quick Decision

A plant can be technically compatible with a fish and still fail in the actual tank if the fish digs, chews, needs denser cover, or uses a different part of the layout.

Overall fit

80/100

The fish is likely to outgrow, uproot, or out-pressure the plant.

Water match

Workable overlap

Shared range: 22-28°C, pH 7.5-7.5, 8-12 dGH.

Plant pressure

Low

Bulolo Rainbowfish is not flagged as unusually hard on this plant.

Layout value

Moderate cover

Tricolor Lily helps with provides surface cover, breaks lines of sight, useful spawning site, and good refuge for shrimp.

Plant and Fish Fit Notes

Use these signals to decide whether the plant is doing useful work for the fish, or whether it is only surviving beside it.

Temperature
Tricolor Lily22-28°C
Bulolo Rainbowfish22-28°C

Overlap: 22-28°C.

pH
Tricolor Lily6-7.5
Bulolo Rainbowfish7.5-8.8

Overlap: pH 7.5-7.5.

Hardness
Tricolor Lily2-12 dGH
Bulolo Rainbowfish8-20 dGH

Overlap: 8-12 dGH.

Water and flow
Tricolor LilyFreshwater Only, Low (Still Water)
Bulolo RainbowfishFreshwater Only, High (River/Stream)

Flow expectations point in different directions.

Space used
Tricolor LilyMidground and Background
Bulolo RainbowfishMiddle (Open Water) and Top (Surface)
Pressure signals
Tricolor LilyModerate uproot resistance, Delicate leaves
Bulolo RainbowfishPeaceful, Hyperactive / Fast Swimmer and Jumper (Lid Required)

Plant pressure: Low.

Planting value
Tricolor LilyProvides surface cover, Breaks lines of sight, Useful spawning site, and Good refuge for shrimp, Nutrient-rich substrate preferred
Bulolo RainbowfishNo special plant requirement listed

Shared Tank Conditions

Tricolor Lily fits inside the water range normally used for Bulolo Rainbowfish. The shared window is about 22 to 28 °C, pH 7.5 to 7.5, and 8 to 12 dGH, which gives you enough room to aim for stable middle-ground conditions.

Flow is another friction point because Tricolor Lily prefers gentle, low-flow water while Bulolo Rainbowfish prefers strong, stream-style flow.

Both are suited to freshwater, so salinity does not add an extra planning problem.

Fish Pressure and Plant Resilience

Bulolo Rainbowfish does not put unusual pressure on this plant compared with harder fish-plant combinations.

Tricolor Lily has moderate cover density, moderate uproot resistance, and delicate leaves. It can also help with surface cover, breaking up sight lines, spawning sites, and shrimp refuge.

Its structure adds useful refuge value beyond the normal visual role of the plant.

The limiting issue is the fish wants a very different current pattern than the plant prefers.

Layout Fit

Tricolor Lily is a bulb / tuber plant usually used midground and background.

Bulolo Rainbowfish is a rainbowfish, so the pairing works best when the planting style supports how that fish uses space and cover.

Tricolor Lily reaches about 40 cm tall by 25 cm wide and is usually bulb / tuber on or partly in substrate with nutrient-rich substrate preferred. That makes placement and anchoring more important than simply adding a larger bunch of stems or leaves.

In this pairing, the useful plant values are surface cover, line-of-sight breaks, spawning sites, and shrimp refuge. Place it where Bulolo Rainbowfish can actually use that structure instead of hiding the plant where it cannot do much.

Practical Recommendation

For most keepers, a tougher or better-matched plant is the smarter choice. If you still try it, test with a small amount first and be ready to move the plant before it is badly damaged.

The decision should center on this signal: The fish wants a very different current pattern than the plant prefers.

Best Use Case

Tricolor Lily is usually the wrong plant for Bulolo Rainbowfish if your goal is a stable display tank. The issue is rarely one dramatic failure on day one; it is the steady mismatch between what the fish does in the scape and what the plant needs to stay attractive long term.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tricolor Lily and Bulolo Rainbowfish

Is Tricolor Lily a good plant for Bulolo Rainbowfish?

Tricolor Lily is not recommended for Bulolo Rainbowfish. The issue is practical, not cosmetic: the fish wants a very different current pattern than the plant prefers.

Can Bulolo Rainbowfish damage Tricolor Lily?

The fish wants a very different current pattern than the plant prefers.

Do Tricolor Lily and Bulolo Rainbowfish share the same water conditions?

Tricolor Lily and Bulolo Rainbowfish share a workable water window around 22 to 28 °C, pH 7.5 to 7.5, and 8 to 12 dGH. Keep the tank near the middle of that overlap for the best long-term result.

What does Tricolor Lily add to a tank with Bulolo Rainbowfish?

Its structure adds useful refuge value beyond the normal visual role of the plant.

What is the main risk in this plant and fish pairing?

The fish wants a very different current pattern than the plant prefers.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

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

Last reviewed
May 3, 2026
Last updated
May 3, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

Other Fish for Tricolor Lily

Other Plants for Bulolo Rainbowfish