African Butterflyfish tank mates
Pantodon buchholzi
5 rated pairings from the African Butterflyfish care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. African Butterflyfish needs at least 30 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
1 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.
Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
55 gal min · 6" adult · Peaceful
Large, fast-moving fish that won't fit in the butterflyfish's mouth and can hold their own at the surface
Severum
Heros severus
55 gal min · 8" adult · Semi-aggressive
Robust cichlid of similar size that occupies mid-water zone and is too large to be preyed upon
Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
50 gal min · 9" adult · Peaceful
Nocturnal bottom-dweller that operates in different zone and is armored against predation
Use caution
1 · Works in the right setup; read the note before combining.
Also recommended alongside African Butterflyfish
Species whose own guides list African Butterflyfish as a tank mate.
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.