Can chinese algae eaters live with lemon tetras?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Chinese algae eaters and lemon tetras can share a tank, but watch one thing. Chinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for lemon tetras.

Chinese algae eater74–80°F · pH 6–8

Lemon tetra72–82°F · pH 5.5–7.5

What to watch

Watch outChinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for lemon tetras.

What works

Both are fine at 74–80°F.
pH 6–7.5 suits both.
They use different parts of the tank: chinese algae eaters the bottom, lemon tetras the mid.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

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

	Chinese algae eater	Lemon tetra
Temperature	74–80 °F	72–82 °F
pH	6–8	5.5–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	2.0 in
Minimum tank	75 gal	15 gal
Temperament	Semi-aggressive	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Middle
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 6+
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for chinese algae eaters

All chinese algae eater tank mates

Better tank mates for lemon tetras

All lemon tetra tank mates

Questions

Can chinese algae eaters live with lemon tetras?

Yes, with care. Chinese algae eaters and lemon tetras can share a tank, but watch one thing. Chinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for lemon tetras.

What temperature suits both chinese algae eaters and lemon tetras?

74–80 °F. Chinese algae eaters need 74–80 °F, lemon tetras need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do chinese algae eaters and lemon tetras need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the chinese algae eater. Add space for each extra fish.