Can bichirs live with black neon tetras?
Verdict
No
No. Bichirs and black neon tetras should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for black neon tetras.
What works
- Both are fine at 73–81°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bichirs the bottom, black neon tetras the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Bichir | Black neon tetra | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 73–81 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 1.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 15 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for bichirs
Better tank mates for black neon tetras
All black neon tetra tank mates
Questions
Can bichirs live with black neon tetras?
No. Bichirs and black neon tetras should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
What temperature suits both bichirs and black neon tetras?
73–81 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, black neon tetras need 73–81 °F.
What size tank do bichirs and black neon tetras need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.