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Is Tricolor Lily a Good Plant for Redtail Splitfin?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 11, 2026
Not Recommended

Tricolor Lily is not recommended for Redtail Splitfin. The issue is practical, not cosmetic: redtail Splitfin is likely to chew or tear this plant before it settles in.

Tricolor Lily

Nymphaea micrantha

View plant profile
PlacementMidground
LightModerate
DifficultyIntermediate
Size40 × 25 cm

Redtail Splitfin

Xenotoca eiseni

View fish profile
TemperamentSemi-Aggressive
FamilyLivebearers
Temp18–26°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

58/100

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

Water match

Workable overlap

Shared range: 22-26°C, pH 7-7.5, 10-12 dGH.

Plant pressure

High

Redtail Splitfin may chew, uproot, or stress 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
Redtail Splitfin18-26°C

Overlap: 22-26°C.

pH
Tricolor Lily6-7.5
Redtail Splitfin7-8.5

Overlap: pH 7-7.5.

Hardness
Tricolor Lily2-12 dGH
Redtail Splitfin10-25 dGH

Overlap: 10-12 dGH.

Water and flow
Tricolor LilyFreshwater Only, Low (Still Water)
Redtail SplitfinFreshwater Only, Moderate (Standard)

Flow expectations are close enough for one layout.

Space used
Tricolor LilyMidground and Background
Redtail SplitfinTop (Surface) and Middle (Open Water)
Pressure signals
Tricolor LilyModerate uproot resistance, Delicate leaves
Redtail SplitfinSemi-Aggressive, Fin Nipper, Fry Predator, and Hyperactive / Fast Swimmer

Plant pressure: High.

Planting value
Tricolor LilyProvides surface cover, Breaks lines of sight, Useful spawning site, and Good refuge for shrimp, Nutrient-rich substrate preferred
Redtail SplitfinPlants - Densely covered and Established Algae (Otocinclus)

Shared Tank Conditions

Tricolor Lily fits inside the water range normally used for Redtail Splitfin. The shared window is about 22 to 26 °C, pH 7 to 7.5, and 10 to 12 dGH, which gives you enough room to aim for stable middle-ground conditions.

Their flow expectations are close enough to combine: Tricolor Lily prefers gentle, low-flow water, while Redtail Splitfin prefers moderate flow.

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

Fish Pressure and Plant Resilience

Redtail Splitfin puts heavy pressure on plants, so this species is likely to be chewed, uprooted, or stressed in day-to-day use.

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.

This plant adds the denser cover that Redtail Splitfin usually appreciates.

The limiting issue is redtail Splitfin is likely to chew or tear this plant before it settles in.

Layout Fit

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

Redtail Splitfin is a livebearer, 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 Redtail Splitfin 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: Redtail Splitfin is likely to chew or tear this plant before it settles in.

Best Use Case

Tricolor Lily is usually the wrong plant for Redtail Splitfin 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 Redtail Splitfin

Is Tricolor Lily a good plant for Redtail Splitfin?

Tricolor Lily is not recommended for Redtail Splitfin. The issue is practical, not cosmetic: redtail Splitfin is likely to chew or tear this plant before it settles in.

Can Redtail Splitfin damage Tricolor Lily?

Redtail Splitfin is likely to chew or tear this plant before it settles in.

Do Tricolor Lily and Redtail Splitfin share the same water conditions?

Tricolor Lily and Redtail Splitfin share a workable water window around 22 to 26 °C, pH 7 to 7.5, and 10 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 Redtail Splitfin?

This plant adds the denser cover that Redtail Splitfin usually appreciates.

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

Redtail Splitfin is likely to chew or tear this plant before it settles in.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

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

Last reviewed
May 11, 2026
Last updated
May 11, 2026
Issues or corrections?
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