Can neon tetras live with bichirs?
Verdict
No
No. Neon tetras and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for neon tetras.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–79°F.
- pH 6.5–7 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: neon tetras the mid, bichirs the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Neon tetra | Bichir | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–79 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6–7 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 1.5 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 10 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Groups of 6+ | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for neon tetras
Better tank mates for bichirs
Questions
Can neon tetras live with bichirs?
No. Neon tetras and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
What temperature suits both neon tetras and bichirs?
72–79 °F. Neon tetras need 72–79 °F, bichirs need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do neon tetras and bichirs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.