Neon tetra Tank Mates
Short answer: the best neon tetra tank mates are Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. Neon tetras need 70–77 °F (21–25 °C), pH 4–7.5 and at least 20 gallons. Keep them in a group of 6 or more.
Neon tetra care at a glance
| Adult size | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 20 US gallons |
| Temperature | 70–77 °F (21–25 °C) |
| pH | 4–7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Middle |
| Group size | Groups of 6+ |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (40)
- Betta fish
- Dwarf gourami
- Guppy
- Bristlenose pleco
- Harlequin rasbora
- Molly
- Platy
- Nerite snail
- Amano shrimp
- Celestial pearl danio
- Chili rasbora
- Ember tetra
- Mystery snail
- Otocinclus
- Panda cory
- Bronze cory
- Cardinal tetra
- Cherry barb
- Honey gourami
- Kuhli loach
- Rummy nose tetra
- Zebra danio
- Swordtail
- Rainbow shark
- Red tail shark
- Siamese algae eater
- Common pleco
- Pygmy cory
- Sparkling gourami
- Black neon tetra
- Bloodfin tetra
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- Peppered cory
- X-ray tetra
- Congo tetra
- Gold barb
- Odessa barb
- Rosy barb
⚠️ Possible with caution (16)
- Cherry shrimp — Neon tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Tiger barb — Tiger barb may nip at calmer tankmates like neon tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Endler's livebearer — Very narrow shared temperature range: Endler's livebearer 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Black skirt tetra — Black skirt tetra may nip at calmer tankmates like neon tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Glowlight tetra — Very narrow shared temperature range: Glowlight tetra 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Serpae tetra — Serpae tetra may nip at calmer tankmates like neon tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Kribensis — Very narrow shared temperature range: Kribensis 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Pearl gourami — Very narrow shared temperature range: Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F) vs Pearl gourami 24–30 °C (75–86 °F).
- Clown loach — Very narrow shared temperature range: Clown loach 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully neon tetra.
- Forktail blue-eye — Very narrow shared temperature range: Forktail blue-eye 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Sterbai cory — Very narrow shared temperature range: Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F) vs Sterbai cory 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).
- Buenos Aires tetra — Buenos Aires tetra may nip at calmer tankmates like neon tetra; keep it in a group of 6+ to spread the nipping within its own school.
- Upside-down catfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F) vs Upside-down catfish 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).
- Bolivian ram — Very narrow shared temperature range: Bolivian ram 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Chinese algae eater — Adult Chinese algae eater can latch onto other fish and rasp their slime coat.
❌ Not recommended (15)
- Fancy goldfish — An adult fancy goldfish (up to 20 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Angelfish — An adult angelfish (up to 15 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Oscar — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully peaceful neon tetra.
- German blue ram — No comfortable shared temperature: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- White cloud mountain minnow — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F) vs White cloud mountain minnow 14–22 °C (57–72 °F).
- Three spot gourami — An adult three spot gourami (up to 15 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Electric yellow cichlid — Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid: it needs hard, alkaline water and an African-cichlid community, and is too boisterous for neon tetra.
- Discus — No comfortable shared temperature: Discus 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Paradise fish — Paradise fish is aggressive and will bully peaceful neon tetra.
- Convict cichlid — An adult convict cichlid (up to 15 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Firemouth cichlid — An adult firemouth cichlid (up to 15 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Boesemani rainbowfish — No comfortable shared temperature: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Neon tetra 21–25 °C (70–77 °F).
- Jack Dempsey — An adult Jack Dempsey (up to 25 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
- Bala shark — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat neon tetra (3.5 cm).
How many neon tetras per tank?
20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with neon tetras?
Good matches include Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly. They share a temperature range with neon tetras (70–77 °F (21–25 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with neon tetras?
Avoid Fancy goldfish, Angelfish, Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, White cloud mountain minnow.
What size tank do neon tetras need?
We recommend at least 20 US gallons for a group of 6 neon tetras, more if you add tank mates.
Can neon tetras live alone?
No. Neon tetras are social and should be kept in groups of at least 6.
Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.