Australian smelt
Retropinna semoni
- Tank length
- 30 cm12 in
- Group
- 8+
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C72–82 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 5 cm2 in
- Lifespan
- 1–3 yrs
A cool-water, fast-swimming shoaler that needs high oxygen, room to swim and a group of 8+; dislikes tropical temperatures.A cool-water, fast-swimming shoaler that needs high oxygen, room to swim and a group of 8+; dislikes tropical temperatures.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat Australian smeltAfrican knifefish may eat Australian smelt
- African pike
African pike may eat Australian smeltAfrican pike may eat Australian smelt
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Australian smeltAlligator gar may eat Australian smelt
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat Australian smeltAntenna ray may eat Australian smelt
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Australian smeltArapaima may eat Australian smelt
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Australian smeltAsian arowana may eat Australian smelt
- Asian upside-down catfish
Asian upside down catfish may eat Australian smeltAsian upside down catfish may eat Australian smelt
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat Australian smeltAustralian pearl arowana may eat Australian smelt
- Barred bichir
Barred bichir may eat Australian smeltBarred bichir may eat Australian smelt
- Black bullhead
Black bullhead may eat Australian smeltBlack bullhead may eat Australian smelt
- Black diamond cichlid
Black diamond cichlid may eat Australian smeltBlack diamond cichlid may eat Australian smelt
- Brown bullhead
Brown bullhead may eat Australian smeltBrown bullhead may eat Australian smelt
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 22–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | South eastern Australia | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | active | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | middle | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 8 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 1–3 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 8 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |