Can axolotls live with black neon tetras?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and black neon tetras should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Black neon tetra73–81°F · pH 5.5–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerAt 10 inches an axolotl can swallow a 1.5-inch black neon tetra whole.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.

What works

pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
They use different parts of the tank: axolotls the bottom, black neon tetras the mid.

Water side by side

The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Axolotl	Black neon tetra
Temperature	60–66 °F	73–81 °F
pH	6.5–8	5.5–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	1.5 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	15 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Middle
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 6+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for black neon tetras

All black neon tetra tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with black neon tetras?

No. Axolotls and black neon tetras should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and black neon tetras?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and black neon tetras need 73–81 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and black neon tetras need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the axolotl. Add space for each extra fish.