Lemon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Also known as Lemon
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A very peaceful, softly yellow tetra with a splash of black and lemon in its fins. In a good-sized school the males spar and show their best color. It is a hardy choice for a planted community, and looks its best over dark sand with driftwood.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 31 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–82 °F
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 fish
- Lifespan
- 5–6 years
Lemon Tetra care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep a real school. The males need rivals to show their finest color and behavior.
- Skip large or nippy fish, which will spoil its fins and its confidence.
- Avoid a pale, bare tank. Dark decor makes its yellow tones far stronger.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Lemon Tetra tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Trichopodus leerii
Trichopsis pumila
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Lemon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Crossocheilus oblongus
Siamese Algae Eater is much larger than Lemon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Lemon Tetra.
Pseudomugil furcatus
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Lemon Tetra is a poor match.
Lemon Tetra feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes or small pellets as a staple.
- Add frozen daphnia, brine shrimp or bloodworm a few times a week.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Adult males tend to be slimmer, slightly smaller and more intensely colored than females.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Characidae
- Native to
- Tapajós River basin, Brazil
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Lemon Tetra FAQ
What size tank do Lemon Tetras need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (72 liters), with a footprint of 80 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Lemon Tetras should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Lemon Tetras?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Honey Gourami. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Swordtail.
How long do Lemon Tetras live?
Care guides report about 5–6 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why does my lemon tetra look pale?
Lemons often look washed out in shops and bright tanks. Dark decor, floating plants and better food usually bring the color back within weeks.
Where to buy Lemon Tetra
We have not found a store that sells Lemon Tetra under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 19 US gallons (72 L), 80 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.