20 Best Freshwater Stingray Tank Mates

In this informative article, we will be exploring 20 amazing tank mates for your pet freshwater stingray. It helps aquarium enthusiasts choose the right companions to create a harmonious and captivating aquatic environment.

by Fabian

Updated: May 26, 2023 / 10 mins read

Fabian is the dedicated Chief Editor at Aquarium Nexus. From a young age, he was captivated by the vibrant world of aquatic life, leading him to accumulate over 20 years of experience in keeping and breeding various fish species. The fulfillment derived from the aquarium hobby has remained a constant throughout Fabian's life. As an expert in the field, he finds great pleasure in imparting his extensive knowledge and personal experiences to both seasoned aficionados and budding enthusiasts.

Arowana

Arowana is a beautiful fish species, highly prized for its elegance and powerful swimming style. Although Arowanas tend to be quite large, they can coexist peacefully with freshwater stingrays in spacious tanks. They require special care and attention, making them suitable for experienced aquarists.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 300 gal (1136 L) minimum
• Care Level: Intermediate to expert
• Temperament: Predatory but peaceful with larger tank mates
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – live or frozen food; avoid pellets as it can cause health issues
• Adult Size: Up to 36 inches (91 cm) in captivity

Convict Cichlids

Convict cichlids are colorful, stripe-patterned fish that can thrive in a community tank with freshwater stingrays. Although they can be territorial, their small size ensures compatibility once they have established their territory.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L) minimum for a pair
• Care Level: Easy, suitable for beginners
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial, but manageable with proper tank setup
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – flakes, pellets, live or frozen food
• Adult Size: Up to 4-5 inches (10-12 cm)

Geophagus

Geophagus, also known as “eartheaters,” are a group of peaceful cichlids that sift through the substrate for their food. Their peaceful temperament and attractive appearance make them excellent tank mates for freshwater stingrays.

• Compatibility: 5 out of 5
• Tank Size: 55 gal (208 L) minimum, preferably larger
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful, community fish
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – bottom feeder pellets, high-quality flakes, and live or frozen food as a treat
• Adult Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm), depending on species

Silver Dollar

Silver Dollar fish are round, silver-colored schooling fish that make great companions for freshwater stingrays. Their peaceful nature, coupled with their preference for staying in the middle to upper area of the tank, prevents conflicts with stingrays.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 75 gal (284 L) minimum for a group of 6
• Care Level: Easy, suitable for beginners
• Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish
• Diet & Feeding: Herbivorous – high-quality vegetarian flakes, plant matter, and occasional live or frozen food as a treat
• Adult Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Bichirs

Bichirs are ancient-looking, elongated, and eel-like fish that coexist well with freshwater stingrays in large tanks. Although they are usually peaceful with similarly-sized tank mates, their predatory nature might pose a risk to smaller fish in the community.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 90 gal (340 L) minimum for the smaller species
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Generally peaceful but predatory towards small fish
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – live or frozen food, sinking pellets or meaty foods
• Adult Size: 12 to 30 inches (30 to 76 cm), depending on species

Giant Gourami

Giant Gouramis are magnificent, large fish that attract attention wherever they swim. Their calm demeanor allows them to share their environment peacefully with freshwater stingrays as long as they have ample space to swim.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 180 gal (681 L) minimum
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Generally peaceful but may become territorial as they age
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality pellet or wafer food, supplemented with vegetables and occasional live or frozen food
• Adult Size: Up to 24 inches (61 cm) in captivity

Common Plecos

Common Plecos, also known as suckerfish or algae eaters, are a well-known addition to any larger aquarium. They generally leave other tank inhabitants alone, making them compatible with freshwater stingrays.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 150 gal (567 L) minimum due to their size
• Care Level: Easy, suitable for beginners
• Temperament: Peaceful, mostly nocturnal, and non-aggressive
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – algae wafers, sinking pellets, plant matter, and occasional meaty food (e.g., shrimp or bloodworms)
• Adult Size: Up to 24 inches (61 cm) in captivity

Pacu Fish

Pacu fish are large, active fish closely related to piranhas. Although they may appear intimidating, they make good tank mates for freshwater stingrays due to their peaceful nature and requirement for similar water parameters.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 250 gal (946 L) minimum
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful and friendly but can be nervous in smaller tanks
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality pellet food, fruits, vegetables, and occasional live or frozen meaty food
• Adult Size: 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm) in captivity

Bala Shark

Bala Sharks, despite their name, are not true sharks but rather peaceful, schooling fish known for their torpedo-shaped body and distinctive black edges on their fins. They make lively tank mates for freshwater stingrays in larger aquariums.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 150 gal (567 L) minimum to accommodate their active swimming
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and schooling fish
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality flakes or pellets, supplemented with live or frozen food like brine shrimp or bloodworms
• Adult Size: Up to 14 inches (36 cm) in captivity

Datnoid Fish

Datnoids are fascinating fish known for their unique, tiger-like vertical stripes and distinct appearance. They make attractive tank mates for freshwater stingrays because they are typically calm and peaceful towards larger fish.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 125 gal (473 L) minimum
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful but predatory towards smaller fish
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – prefers live or frozen food like shrimp and small fish, but can be acclimated to soak pellets
• Adult Size: Up to 16 inches (40 cm) in captivity

Clown Loach

Clown Loaches are colorful, social fish that bring personality and charm to any large aquarium. Their bottom-dwelling habits make them suitable tank mates for freshwater stingrays as long as they are given proper hiding spaces.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 100 gal (379 L) minimum for a small group
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and highly social
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality sinking pellets, supplemented with live or frozen food like bloodworms or brine shrimp
• Adult Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) in captivity

Oscar Fish

Oscar Fish are large, intelligent, and colorful cichlids known for their interactive personality and strong bond with their owners. These fascinating fish can coexist harmoniously with freshwater stingrays in an appropriately sized tank.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 75 gal (284 L) minimum for a single Oscar
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Generally peaceful, but can be aggressive towards smaller tank mates
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – high-quality cichlid pellets, live or frozen food like shrimp, krill, or crickets
• Adult Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) in captivity

Knife Fish

Knife Fish are uniquely shaped exotic fish with elongated bodies and undulating side fins. Their peaceful nature and preference for hiding within the tank’s crevices make them good tank mates for freshwater stingrays.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 125 gal (473 L) minimum, depending on species
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful, nocturnal, and can be shy
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – live or frozen food like bloodworms; may accept high-quality pellets or wafers eventually
• Adult Size: Up to 20 inches (50 cm), depending on species

Red Tail Catfish

Red Tail Catfish are striking fish with their stunning red tail and unique whisker-like barbels. As gentle giants, they can peacefully coexist with freshwater stingrays in well-planned and spacious aquariums.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 350 gal (1325 L) minimum due to their large size
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for experienced aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful but may eat smaller tank mates
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – sinking pellets, a variety of high-quality meaty frozen or live food
• Adult Size: Up to 60 inches (150 cm) in captivity

Fire Eel

Fire Eels are captivating eel-like creatures with striking red markings on their dark bodies. Their intriguing appearance and non-aggressive nature make them suitable tank mates for freshwater stingrays in a secure and well-decorated aquarium setup.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 150 gal (567 L) minimum for a single Fire Eel
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful and shy; requires hiding spots
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – live or frozen food like bloodworms, earthworms, and shrimp; may accept sinking pellets over time
• Adult Size: Up to 40 inches (100 cm) in captivity

Flowerhorn Cichlid

Flowerhorn Cichlids are exotic, vibrantly colored fish known for their distinct hump on their forehead. Although they can be aggressive, careful planning and tank setup can enable them to coexist with freshwater stingrays in large aquariums.

• Compatibility: 2 out of 5
• Tank Size: 75 gal (284 L) minimum for a single Flowerhorn
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for experienced aquarists
• Temperament: Aggressive and territorial; requires careful management
• Diet & Feeding: Carnivorous – high-quality cichlid pellets, live or frozen food like shrimp, krill, or crickets
• Adult Size: 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) in captivity

Green Terror Cichlid

Green Terror Cichlids are striking fish with iridescent blue and green hues on their bodies, making them a vibrant addition to an aquatic community. With proper care, these semi-aggressive fish can be suitable tank mates for freshwater stingrays.

• Compatibility: 2 out of 5
• Tank Size: 55 gal (208 L) minimum for a single Green Terror
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial; requires a well-planned tank setup
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality cichlid pellets, occasional live or frozen food like shrimp, bloodworms, or brine shrimp
• Adult Size: 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) in captivity

Jack Dempsey Fish

Jack Dempsey Fish, named after the famous boxer, are vibrant cichlids known for their aggressive and territorial behavior. With careful planning and a large aquarium, they can be compatible tank mates for freshwater stingrays.

• Compatibility: 2 out of 5
• Tank Size: 55 gal (208 L) minimum for a single Jack Dempsey
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Aggressive and territorial; may require separate hiding spaces
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality cichlid pellets, occasional live or frozen food like shrimp, bloodworms, or brine shrimp
• Adult Size: 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) in captivity

Leporinus

Leporinus are elongated, black-and-yellow-striped fish that add color and charm to any large aquarium. Their generally peaceful and active nature allows them to be suitable tank mates for freshwater stingrays, provided they have ample swimming space.

• Compatibility: 3 out of 5
• Tank Size: 100 gal (379 L) minimum due to their active swimming behavior
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Generally peaceful but may occasionally chase smaller tank mates
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality pellets, supplemented with vegetables and occasional live or frozen food
• Adult Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) in captivity

Severum Cichlid

Severum Cichlids are large, peaceful cichlids that come in a variety of colors, including green, gold, and red. Their calm demeanor and adaptability make them suitable tank mates for freshwater stingrays when proper care is provided.

• Compatibility: 4 out of 5
• Tank Size: 55 gal (208 L) minimum for a pair
• Care Level: Moderate, suitable for intermediate aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful and adaptable, but may become territorial when breeding
• Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – high-quality pellets, supplemented with vegetables and occasional live or frozen food, like bloodworms or brine shrimp
• Adult Size: 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) in captivity

Conclusion

We hope this guide to the best freshwater stingray tank mates helps you create a diverse, fascinating, and harmonious aquarium community. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!