Black neon tetra tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for black neon tetras are bettas, guppies and kuhli loaches. Each match shares black neon tetras' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Hardier than the neon tetra and just as peaceful.

Temperature: 73–81°F
pH: 5.5–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 15 gal
With care: 21
Avoid: 17

How each group of fish does with black neon tetras. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Cherry shrimp Black neon tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.
Ghost shrimp Black neon tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give ghost shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast black neon tetras will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Rainbow shark A grown rainbow shark may treat small black neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for black neon tetras.
Chinese algae eater Chinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for black neon tetras.
Clown loach At 8 inches a clown loach can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Firemouth cichlid A grown firemouth cichlid may treat small black neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Kissing gourami At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Bala shark At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
German blue ram They only share 80–81°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Silver dollar Silver dollars grow to 6 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for black neon tetras.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Electric blue acara A grown electric blue acara may treat small black neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Severum At 8 inches a severum can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Dojo loach A grown dojo loach may treat small black neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Tinfoil barb At 12 inches a tinfoil barb can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6, black neon tetras want pH 5.5–7.5.
Blood parrot At 8 inches a blood parrot can swallow a small black neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Peacock cichlid Different water: peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, black neon tetras want pH 5.5–7.5.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive and will bully peaceful black neon tetras.
Angelfish An adult angelfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
Elephant nose fish At 9 inches an elephant nose fish can swallow a 1.5-inch black neon tetra whole.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful black neon tetras.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful black neon tetras.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, black neon tetras need 73–81°F.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Flowerhorn An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the black neon tetra care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for black neon tetras?

Bettas, Guppies, Kuhli loaches, Honey gouramis, Sparkling gouramis. They share black neon tetras' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with black neon tetras?

Axolotls, Pea puffers, Angelfish, Oscars, Elephant nose fish. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.