European Bitterling
Rhodeus amarus
The European Bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) is a peaceful fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 130 litres (34 US gallons), water held at 55-72°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Europe
We don't shade a region on this simplified map - your text may be Europe-only, worldwide, listed as "Various," captive-only, or outside the five areas used in the stocking calculator. That tool still scores whether your fish come from similar parts of the world.
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
European Bitterling Tank Setup
A tank of at least 130 litres (34 US gallons) works well. Keep the water at 55-72°F with a pH around 6.5-7.5, and set up both cover and open swimming space where they spend most of their time (Mid).
What Do European Bitterlings Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
European Bitterling Tank Mates
The European Bitterling is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are European Bitterlings Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
European Bitterling - frequently asked questions
What size tank do European Bitterlings need?
European Bitterlings need a tank of at least 130 litres (34 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do European Bitterlings need?
Keep them at 55-72°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do European Bitterlings eat?
European Bitterlings are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are European Bitterlings good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match European Bitterlings to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Common mistakes with European Bitterlings
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 130 litres (34 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with European Bitterlings
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- AxolotlPredator - Axolotl will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Crescent BettaPredator - Crescent Betta will eat or injure smaller tank mates
