Can axolotls live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and dwarf neon rainbowfish should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Dwarf neon rainbowfish75–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.
Watch outA grown axolotl may treat small dwarf neon rainbowfish as food, especially at night.

What works

pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
They use different parts of the tank: axolotls the bottom, dwarf neon rainbowfish 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	Dwarf neon rainbowfish
Temperature	60–66 °F	75–82 °F
pH	6.5–8	6.5–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	2.5 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Middle
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 6+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for dwarf neon rainbowfish

All dwarf neon rainbowfish tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

No. Axolotls and dwarf neon rainbowfish should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and dwarf neon rainbowfish?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and dwarf neon rainbowfish need together?

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