What Fish Can Live With Neon Tetras?
Edited by Ivan F.
Seriously Fish says neons are best kept with similarly sized, peaceful fish and small catfish, and with other schooling fish for security. Their temperature range is on the cool side, which rules out some tropical fish. Every animal on our list is sorted below, using our compatibility rules.
See the Neon Tetra care guide for water ranges and tank size. A good rating does not make any pairing safe in a small tank, so check each species' own page.
Good matches (39)
Keep with caution (14)
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Pearl Gourami is much larger than Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Siamese Algae Eater is much larger than Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Pea Puffer often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Angelfish is much larger than Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Adult Red Cherry Shrimp are usually safe with Neon Tetra, but baby shrimp will be eaten. Add moss for cover.
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Never mix (9)
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Neon Tetra.
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Neon Tetra is a poor match.
Blue Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Neon Tetra.