Neon tetra tank mates

Good matches

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

Small enough to fit in an angelfish's mouth. Keep six or more.

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6–7
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 10 gal
With care: 27
Avoid: 20

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

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Cherry shrimp Neon tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.
Molly Different water: neon tetras want pH 6–7, mollies want pH 7.5–8.5.
Swordtail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Mystery snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Ghost shrimp Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Rainbow shark A grown rainbow shark may treat small neon tetras as food, especially at night.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast neon tetras will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for neon tetras.
Chinese algae eater Chinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for neon tetras.
Nerite snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Ramshorn snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Koi Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Endler's livebearer Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Kissing gourami At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Bala shark At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Clown loach At 8 inches a clown loach can swallow a small neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Dojo loach A grown dojo loach may treat small neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Firemouth cichlid A grown firemouth cichlid may treat small neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Severum At 8 inches a severum can swallow a small neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Platy Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Electric blue acara A grown electric blue acara may treat small neon tetras as food, especially at night.
Assassin snail Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Tinfoil barb At 12 inches a tinfoil barb can swallow a small 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 neon tetras.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Blood parrot At 8 inches a blood parrot can swallow a small neon tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Boesemani rainbowfish Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); neon tetras need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.
Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive and will bully peaceful neon tetras.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); neon tetras need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Angelfish An adult angelfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
Elephant nose fish At 9 inches an elephant nose fish can swallow a 1.5-inch neon tetra whole.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful neon tetras.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Neon tetras need 72–79°F, rams need 80–86°F.
African cichlid Different water: neon tetras want pH 6–7, african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.
Discus No shared temperature. Neon tetras need 72–79°F, discus need 82–88°F.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: neon tetras want pH 6–7, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); neon tetras need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); neon tetras need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Peacock cichlid Different water: neon tetras want pH 6–7, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Neon tetras need 72–79°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.

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

Questions

What are the best tank mates for neon tetras?

Bettas, Guppies, Tiger barbs, Harlequin rasboras, Zebra danios. They share neon tetras' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with neon tetras?

Axolotls, Pea puffers, Goldfish, Angelfish, Pictus catfish. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); neon tetras need 72–79°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.