The 19 Best Tank Mates for Molly Fish

Mollies are one of the most popular aquarium fish, and for good reason – they’re hardy, colorful, and easy to care for.

But like any other fish in your tank, mollies need compatible tank mates.

In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best tank mates for mollies, based on their temperament and care requirements.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

How to Choose Your Fish Tank Mates

You must first comprehend your fish’s behavior before selecting tank mates since only compatible species should be chosen.

For this reason, we will mention some important things to consider when choosing your fish mate.

Fish Temperature

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing tank mates is the temperature of your fish’s environment.

Fish from different parts of the world have different temperature preferences, so it is important to research what types of fish come from the same part of the world as your fish.

Some fish can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but others can only tolerate a certain range.

So, pay attention to the temperature preferences of your fish before selecting mates.

Tank Size

Another important factor to consider is the size of your tank.

Some fish are very active and need a lot of space, while others are content to swim in a smaller area.

When choosing tank mates, be sure to select those that will be comfortable with the size of your tank.

The last thing you want is for your fish to be cramped and uncomfortable in their home.

So, do some research and make sure that you have enough space for that newcomer.

Fish behavior

In order to choose compatible tank mates, you must also be aware of the different types of fish behavior.

Some fish are aggressive and will attack other fish, while others are more passive and will avoid conflict.

It is important to select tank mates that have similar personality traits so that there is less chance for conflict.

Since molly fish are peaceful fish, it is recommended to have other small, peaceful fish as tank mates.

Food Preferences

Your fish’s diet must also be considered when choosing compatible tank mates.

Some fish are herbivores and only eat plants, while others are carnivores and only eat meat.

Be sure to research your fish’s diet before selecting mates so that you can choose those that will share the same diet.

Otherwise, you may have a fish tank full of dead fish.

Biotope

A biotope is an aquarium that recreates a specific geographical environment.

For example, you could have an Amazon biotope, an African biotope, or a Pacific biotope.

When choosing tank mates, it is important to research the biotope of your fish and select those that are found in that environment.

This will help to create a more natural and balanced tank.

In general, choosing the right fish tank mates can be a daunting task, but it is important to consider all of the different factors before making your decision.

Full List With Molly Fish Tank Mates

1. Guppy Fish

Guppies are a popular fish for beginner aquarists, and they make good tank mates for molly fish.

They’re both peaceful fish, and they’re both able to tolerate a wide range of water temperatures.

Plus, guppies come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, so they’re sure to add some excitement to your aquarium.

2. Platy Fish

Platies are another good choice for a tank mate for molly fish.

Like guppies, they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and they’re also peaceful fish that can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures.

But, be careful not to add too many plates to your tank, or they may outcompete the mollies for food.

3. Neon Tetras

Neon tetras are small, schooling fish that come in a variety of colors, including red, blue, green, and yellow.

They’re peaceful fish that school together, so they make a good addition to any aquarium.

But, keep in mind that they do best in an aquarium with a minimum size of 20 gallons.

4. Swordtail Fish

Swordtail fish are a good choice for a tank mate for molly fish, but only if you have a large aquarium.

They get up to six inches in length, so they need plenty of space to swim.

Plus, they’re peaceful fish and they’ll help to keep the tank clean by eating algae and other debris.

5. Endler’s Livebearer

Endler fish are closely related to guppy fish, and they’ll even breed with them. As a result, it’s reasonable to keep them alongside mollies.

Endlers are tiny, brightly colored fish that are simple to maintain. They’re just as lively as mollies and will explore the whole tank rather than resting on the bottom or at the top of the tank.

They have a wide range of colors (yellow, orange, blue, red, purple, etc.) and a distinct metallic green hue that is common to most strains.

Also, they’re uncomplicated eaters that will eat just about anything other than tiny bites. Feed them baby brine shrimp and crushed flake meals.

6. Danios

Danios are slim, forked-tailed schooling fish.

They do best when kept in schools, but they’re omnivores with a reputation for being peaceful, making them ideal companions for molly fish.

They have fin nippers, therefore you should be cautious.

7. Minnows

Minnows are excellent freshwater aquarium creatures, and they may be kept with mollies, tetras, plecos, and tiny community fish.

They usually have drab colors (silver or dull gray), but some have been selectively bred and now have more brilliant hues, such as the White Cloud Mountain Minnow, which has red coloration on its tail and even its body.

Minnows prey on a wide range of creatures in the wild, including small crustaceans, plant material, insect larvae, and detritus.

They love the same thing in captivity. Offer them flakes, live or frozen meals.

8. Gouramis

Gouramis are a type of labyrinth fish. They have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air, so they can survive in poorly oxygenated water.

This, combined with their peaceful nature, makes them a good choice for a tank mate for molly fish.

They’re omnivorous and should be fed a diet that includes both live and frozen foods.

9. Corydoras

Corydoras are low-maintenance, peaceful fish that get along with molly fish.

They like rummaging for food in the aquarium’s substrate, which means they’re great for cleaning up stuff after others have finished eating.

However, you should not expect them to eat only leftovers and should instead give them a variety of fish foods such as flakes, pellets, and bottom feeder tablets.

They prefer to be in small groups rather than live alone, and they love having a planted aquarium.

Also, they’re sensitive to unstable or poor water conditions, therefore their aquarium should contain aged water.

10. Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras Catfish are a type of Corydoras. They’re very peaceful and get along well with molly fish.

Like Corydoras, they like rummaging for food in the aquarium’s substrate.

However, they are not as tolerant of poor water conditions as Corydoras and should have their own aquarium with aged water.

11. Angelfish

Angelfish are also great tank companions for molly fish due to their care and disposition.

Angelfish, on the other hand, should not be kept with certain of the other fish that are suitable tankmates for the molly fish because they have long fins.

Before adding angelfish to a tank that already has more than one molly fish in it, make sure to do some study.

12. Plecos

The pleco is a bottom-dwelling scavenger that spends its time scavenging for leftovers and cleaning your aquarium of algae.

The main disadvantage of plecos is that they tend to get larger than most fish compatible with mollies, therefore they should be kept in 100+ gallon aquariums except clown plecos, which can be maintained in smaller aquariums.

The majority of these species are peaceful, except when it comes to other pleco males toward which they display territorial behaviors.

They’re not aggressive or territorial with individuals from different fish species.

Algae wafers and uncooked vegetables should be offered to them as part of their diet, and you should be cautious not to overfeed them since they’re big eaters.

13. Snails

Snails might be a good choice if you want to add something different to your Molly’s tank.

They typically stay in their area without disrupting or interrupting other fish in the tank.

They also tuck into the scales of any fish that gets weirdly interested in them as a defensive measure.

Snails aid in the maintenance of a clean aquarium by consuming leftovers, soft algae, and other tank waste.

However, sinking pellets and algae wafers may be used to supplement their diet.

Some aquarium snails, such as Mystery Snails, Rabbit Snails, Ramshorn Snails, Nerite Snails, and so on are safe to keep with Molly fish.

14. Harlequin Rasbora

The brightest rasboras, known as harlequins, have a silver body with a black patch and orange fins. Their length can reach up to 2 inches.

They are simple to maintain and like the top and mid-levels of the water column.

You should provide them with a variety of foods — including flakes, frozen or freeze-dried, as well as fresh food Wetted foods help keep their color vibrant over time.

15. Siamese Algae Eater

Siamese algae eaters are efficient tank cleaners, with the exception that they grow to be rather large — around 6 inches in length, necessitating a larger aquarium to accommodate them comfortably.

They’re one of the most common algae eaters out there, especially because they can tackle a difficult type of algae known as black beard algae.

You should never keep just one Siamese algae eater in your tank; instead, maintain them in a group of three to five.

16. Harlequin Rasbora 

The brightest rasboras, known as harlequins, have a silver body with a black patch and orange fins. Their length can reach up to 2 inches.

They are simple to maintain and like the top and mid-levels of the water column.

You should provide them with a variety of foods — including flakes, frozen or freeze-dried, as well as fresh food Wetted foods help keep their color vibrant over time.

17. Rosy Barbs

Rosy barbs are freshwater fish that get along well with molly fish.

They have a reddish-pink body with black markings and can reach up to 6 inches in length.

Male rosy barbs are known for their colorful fins, which can also be light blue or white.

They’re omnivorous, so they will eat both plant and animal material.

They should be kept in schools of six or more to feel comfortable and display their best colors.

18. Yo-yo Loaches

Yo-yo loaches are one of the most interesting fish you can put in your tank.

They’re bottom-dwelling fish that spend most of their time hiding in the substrate.

They come out to scavenge for food and play at night.

While they don’t get along with other loaches, they do well with molly fish and most other peaceful community fish.

19. Zebra Loaches

Zebra loaches are another bottom-dwelling fish that can do well in a tank with molly fish.

They have a striped black and white body and can reach up to 3 inches in length.

They like to hide during the day and come out at night to scavenge for food.

You should keep them in a school of six or more to see their best colors and personalities.

Fish That You Should Not Keep with Mollies

There are many types of fish that may be kept with molly fish, but not all fish and aquatic creatures are suitable.

The following fish should be avoided when keeping mollies:

1. Shrimp

Shrimp are not a good match for mollies because they are small and delicate.

They may be eaten or injured by the more aggressive molly fish.

2. Bettas

Bettas are territorial fish and will not get along with molly fish.

They will likely fight, leading to injury or death for one or both fish.

3. Goldfish

Goldfish prefer colder water than mollies do, but it isn’t the only reason they don’t mix.

Molly fish have been observed to bully goldfish and inflict harm on them.

4. Other Aggressive Species

There are many other aggressive fish species that should not be kept with mollies, such as cichlids and other types of tropical fish.

If you’re not sure whether a certain fish is aggressive, it’s best to avoid it.

Last Words

Molly fish are an easy-to-care-for fish that make a great addition to any community tank.

And when it comes to tank mates, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Just make sure to avoid any fish that are known for being aggressive or incompatible with mollies.

We hope you’ve found this guide helpful.

Thanks for reading!