Fire Eel tank mates
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia
4 rated pairings from the Fire Eel care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Fire Eel needs at least 80 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
50 gal min · 9" adult · Peaceful
Similar size and nocturnal behavior; both bottom-dwellers that avoid direct conflict
Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
55 gal min · 4.5" adult · Peaceful
Fast-moving, appropriately sized, and active enough to avoid predation
Pacu
Colossoma macropomum
500 gal min · 42" adult · Semi-aggressive
Large, robust fish that won't fit in eel's mouth and occupies different water column
Use caution
1 · Works in the right setup; read the note before combining.Also recommended alongside Fire Eel
Species whose own guides list Fire Eel as a tank mate.
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.