Sometimes it’s just easier to look at a chart and move on.  For more detail about a compatibility component visit the compatibility discussions.  These charts are for freshwater and saltwater fish providing a summary of the compatibility information and more.

Each chart can be enlarged and zoomed into to see a specific fish or compatibility value.

The Vegetation Preference Compatibility chart examines the type of vegetation and fish species behavior with the vegetation.  Many fish have specific biological requirements that relate to a type of vegetation.  The vegetation examined in this chart is either dense or sparse in its tank presence.  Depending on the size of the vegetation present, a top swimmer can become a mid tank swimmer.  So, there can be some behavioral changes presented depending on vegetation.

Compatibility is determined by the density of vegetation and the fish’s propensity to make use of the foliage.  A sparsely populated tank with vegetation provides for longer views and gives strong swimmers a long path to swim through.  Whereas, a dense vegetation tank provides for better protection from predators and many locations for egg-laying.

Compatibility is determined by fish preferring the same amount of foliage.

To make the comparison between species each fish is examined to establish the their vegetation preference.

1. Dense Vegetation: Fish that prefer living in environments with a lot of plants and foliage.
2. Sparse Vegetation: Fish that prefer living in environments with few or no plants.

A compatibility score is then assigned that represents the species interaction with the vegetation.

• 3: Highly Compatible (Both fish prefer the same vegetation condition) DARK BROWN
• 1: Slightly Compatible (One fish prefers dense vegetation while the other prefers sparse vegetation) LIGHT BROWN

Note: This chart is applicable to those species that interact with vegetation.  Not all fish are interested in vegetation.  Some cave-dwellers do not make use of vegetation at all.  Consider the vegetation chart one that is somewhat specialized to certain species.

The compatibility matrix is represented below.