Species › Tetras

Neon tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetras grow to 3 cm (1.2 in). They live in groups: keep at least 10. They need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F) and pH 5.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

3 cm (1.2 in)

Temperature

21–25 °C (70–77 °F)

pH

pH 5.0–7.0

Group

10 or more

Neon tetra minimum tank size

Neon tetras need at least 54 L (14 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 3 cm (1.2 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (12 cm (4.7 in)).

Neon tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against neon tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (30)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Cardinal tetra
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Congo tetra
• Ember tetra
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Paradise fish
• Pearl gourami
• Peppered corydoras
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Rosy barb
• Rummy-nose tetra
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Tiger barb
• White cloud mountain minnow
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (14)

• BettaThe only temperature that suits both is 24.4–25 °C (76–77 °F), set by bettas and neon tetras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and neon tetras. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as neon tetras, many do not.
• Bronze corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by bronze corydoras and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry shrimpNeon tetras (3 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Chili rasboraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Clown loachThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Common plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• GoldfishThe only temperature that suits both is 21–21.1 °C (70–70 °F), set by neon tetras and goldfish. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (8)

• AngelfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; neon tetras grow to 3 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so neon tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; neon tetras grow to 3 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; neon tetras need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; neon tetras need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; neon tetras grow to 3 cm.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Check against another species Plan a tank