Neon Tetra

A classic schooling fish with an iridescent blue stripe. Neons feel secure in groups of ten or more and bring constant mid-level motion to a peaceful community tank.

• Minimum footprint: 10 gallons; a 15+ gallon tank gives real swimming room.
• Preferred swimming zone: middle of the water column.
• Social — keep a group of at least 6.
• Care level: easy.

• Temperature: 70–79°F
• pH: 5.5–7
• Hardness: 1–8 dGH (Soft)

Stable parameters matter more than perfect ones — aim for consistency before chasing an exact number.

peaceful

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An omnivore — offer a staple flake or pellet plus regular frozen or live foods (daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp) and some vegetable matter for balance.

• Guppy
• Bronze Corydoras
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Zebra Danio
• Platy
• Cherry Barb

A further 1 species pair with Neon Tetra as conditional — workable with the right tank and precautions.

• Angelfish — Occasional chasing or fin nipping is possible.
• Molly — pH requirements do not intersect — one species will be stressed.
• Yoyo Loach — Occasional chasing or fin nipping is possible.
• Electric Blue Acara — Occasional chasing or fin nipping is possible.
• Redtail Shark — Occasional chasing or fin nipping is possible.

Standard tanks at or above the recommended 15 gallons:

• 15 gallon 24 × 12 × 12″
• 20 gallon High 24 × 12 × 16″
• 20 gallon Long 30 × 12 × 12″
• All tank sizes

• Start from a 10 gallon minimum and plan the full group size (6+) before you buy.
• Activity level is high, which affects how much of the tank it uses and how much it adds to the bioload.
• Zoning matters: this species lives mostly in the middle zone, so choose tank mates that occupy other levels.

Compatibility depends on tank size, water chemistry, temperament, and adult size. Run a full check against any species in our database.

In-depth guides for Neon Tetra:

• Neon Tetra and BettaConditional
• Neon Tetra and GuppyGood Match
• Neon Tetra and Bronze CorydorasGood Match
• Neon Tetra and Harlequin RasboraGood Match
• Neon Tetra and Cardinal TetraGood Match
• Neon Tetra and Ember TetraGood Match
• Neon Tetra and Zebra DanioGood Match
• Neon Tetra and AngelfishNot Recommended
• Neon Tetra and German Blue RamRisky
• Neon Tetra and Otocinclus CatfishGood Match
• Neon Tetra and Cherry ShrimpGood Match

• FishBase(Scientific Database, accessed 2026-09-20)
• SeriouslyFish(Specialist Publication, accessed 2026-09-20)
• Aquarium Forge editorial guidelines(Editorial Interpretation, accessed 2026-09-22)

Data reviewed: September 2026 · Data version: 2026.11
Editorial note: Minimum tank recommendations may vary by source and husbandry approach. Our figures synthesise the sources above for planning purposes.