๐Ÿ  Fish Compatibility Guide

Can African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Live Together?

Updated September 23, 2026 ยท FishCare AI Editorial Team

โœ… Compatible โ€” Compatibility Score: 86/100
86/100 โ€” Compatible

African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Compatibility Overview

African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Catfish can generally share an aquarium with appropriate planning. Both species prefer overlapping temperature and pH ranges. African Butterfly Fish is semi and Corydoras Catfish is peaceful, so give them room and cover rather than assuming they will ignore each other. A minimum 75-gallon tank is recommended to provide adequate territory and water volume for both species.

Compatibility factors for African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Catfish
FactorAfrican Butterfly FishCorydoras CatfishVerdict
Temperature73โ€“86ยฐF70โ€“79ยฐFโœ… 73โ€“79ยฐF
pH Range6.0โ€“7.56.0โ€“8.0โœ… 6.0โ€“7.5
Temperamentsemipeacefulโš ๏ธ Monitor
Adult Size4.7 in2.5 inโœ… Similar
Min. Group1+6+See below
Min. Tank Size75 gallons (for both species)โ€”

Compatibility Positives

A stable shared temperature range is available.
Their pH requirements overlap.
Temperament risk is relatively low when normal group sizes are maintained.

Caution Points

No major compatibility issues identified for this pair.

Species Profiles

African Butterfly Fish โ€” Pantodon buchholzi

African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras compatibility โ€” African Butterfly Fish

The African Butterfly Fish is a popular freshwater species known for its striking appearance and peaceful demeanor. It requires a well-maintained tank with plenty of swimming space and hiding spots. With a moderate activity level, it is suitable for beginners and can be kept in a community tank with compatible species.

โ†’ Full African Butterfly Fish care guide

Corydoras Catfish โ€” Corydoras spp.

African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras compatibility โ€” Corydoras Catfish

Armoured bottom-dwelling catfish that are peaceful with all non-aggressive species. Need fine sand substrate to protect delicate barbels.

โ†’ Full Corydoras Catfish care guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can African Butterfly Fish live with Corydoras Catfish?

Yes, in a well-planned setup. African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Catfish can generally share an aquarium with appropriate planning. Both species prefer overlapping temperature and pH ranges. African Butterfly Fish is semi and Corydoras Catfish is peaceful, so give them room and cover rather than assuming they will ignore each other. A minimum 75-gallon tank is recommended to provide adequate territory and water volume for both species.

What tank size do I need for African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Catfish together?

A minimum of 75 gallons is recommended for keeping African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Catfish together. A larger tank improves water stability and reduces territorial conflict.

What temperature suits both African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras Catfish?

73โ€“79ยฐF โ€” inside African Butterfly Fish's 73โ€“86ยฐF and Corydoras Catfish's 70โ€“79ยฐF.

Is a African Butterfly Fish aggressive toward a Corydoras Catfish?

African Butterfly Fish is semi and Corydoras Catfish is peaceful. No major aggression issues are expected between these species.

Related Compatibility Guides

Tank Size for African Butterfly Fish and Corydoras

Use the scenario that matches the actual group sizes and temperament you plan to keep.

ScenarioTankWhen it applies
Minimum viable75 galOnly for the recommended minimum groups, mature filtration, and close monitoring.
Recommended community125 galAdds territory, swimming room, and a safer buffer for behavior.
Low-conflict setup150 galBest when keeping larger schools or reducing territorial pressure.