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Contents
Overview
The lemon tetra is a characin of about 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) with a translucent yellow body, a red upper eye and anal and dorsal fins edged in bright yellow and black. It comes from Amazon tributaries in central Brazil, where the water is soft and heavily vegetated. For decades it was one of the best-selling tetras, and today almost all fish in stores are captive-bred.
In the store it often looks pale and plain, but in a planted tank, with good food and a large school, its yellows become far more intense. It is hardy, peaceful and adaptable, which makes it a great pick for beginners who want a less delicate alternative to the neon tetra.
Care and tank setup
A school of ten needs about 20 gallons (80 L) with open mid-water swimming space. Provide a filter and a heater and keep the water clean and stable; lemon tetras handle a fairly wide hardness range, though they color up best in soft, slightly acidic water.
- Aquascape: dense planting along the back and sides, driftwood and dark substrate. Pale gravel and bright light make them look washed out.
- Tank mates: excellent with corydoras, other tetras, rasboras, dwarf gouramis, pencilfish and calm dwarf cichlids. They are also safe with adult shrimp.
- Behavior: males flare their fins at each other in harmless displays; a larger school spreads that activity out.
A frequent mistake is buying only three or four. In small groups they turn shy and dull. Do weekly water changes and never add them to an uncycled tank. Never release them into rivers or ponds.
Feeding
An undemanding omnivore that accepts flakes, micro pellets and powdered foods. To boost the yellow, alternate with carotenoid-rich foods and frozen or live prey such as brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops or bloodworms. Offer small amounts once or twice a day and remove leftovers so they do not foul the water. One fasting day a week helps keep the water clean and digestion on track.
Breeding
Lemon tetras scatter their eggs over fine plants or moss and give no parental care. They are among the easiest tetras to breed: a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water, Java moss, soft lighting and a well-fed pair is usually enough. Remove the parents after spawning. The fry swim within a few days and take infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Lemon tetra. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Lemon tetra, and why.
- Common goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Angelfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oranda goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Lemon tetra healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Lemon tetra need?
At least about 80 liters for a group of at least 10 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Lemon tetra need?
Between 22 and 28 °C, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Lemon tetra?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Betta fish, Bronze cory, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Lemon tetra be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
