Lemon tetra care

Water temperature

72–82°F

A lemon tetra wants water at 72–82°F, pH 5.5–7.5, and a tank of 15 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include bettas, guppies, honey gouramis.

Peaceful, slightly deeper-bodied tetra that colours up in groups.

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

pH

5.5–7.5

Minimum tank

15 gal

Adult size

2.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 6+

Lifespan

5–8 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• GuppyYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• Sparkling gouramiYes
• CorydorasYes
• Dwarf gouramiYes
• Mystery snailYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• OtocinclusYes
• AngelfishYes
• Tiger barbYes

Full lemon tetra tank mate chart: 65 yes, 20 with care, 13 no

Lemon tetra water compared

Fish to keep away from lemon tetras

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); lemon tetras need 72–82°F. No temperature suits both.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
• Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful lemon tetras.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); lemon tetras need 72–82°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.

More tetras and characins

• Neon tetra72–79°F
• Ember tetra73–84°F
• Congo tetra73–82°F
• Rummy nose tetra75–84°F
• Cardinal tetra76–84°F
• Black skirt tetra70–80°F
• Serpae tetra72–79°F
• Silver dollar75–82°F