Can neon tetras live with cherry shrimp?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Neon tetras and cherry shrimp can share a tank, but watch one thing. Neon tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.

Neon tetra72–79°F · pH 6–7

Cherry shrimp65–80°F · pH 6.5–8

What to watch

Watch outNeon tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.

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, cherry shrimp the bottom.

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

	Neon tetra	Cherry shrimp
Temperature	72–79 °F	65–80 °F
pH	6–7	6.5–8
Adult size	1.5 in	1.5 in
Minimum tank	10 gal	5 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Middle	Bottom
Group	Groups of 6+	Groups of 6+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for neon tetras

All neon tetra tank mates

Better tank mates for cherry shrimp

All cherry shrimp tank mates

Questions

Can neon tetras live with cherry shrimp?

Yes, with care. Neon tetras and cherry shrimp can share a tank, but watch one thing. Neon tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.

What temperature suits both neon tetras and cherry shrimp?

72–79 °F. Neon tetras need 72–79 °F, cherry shrimp need 65–80 °F.

What size tank do neon tetras and cherry shrimp need together?

At least 10 gal, set by the neon tetra. Add space for each extra fish.