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Contents
Overview
The neon tetra is probably the most famous aquarium fish in the world. At about 1.4 inches (3.5 cm), it shows an electric-blue stripe running from head to tail and a vivid red band on the rear half of the body. It comes from blackwater and clearwater streams in the upper Amazon basin of Peru, Colombia and Brazil, although nearly all neons sold today are farm-bred in Asia and Europe.
People love it because it is peaceful, affordable and stunning when a school moves through green plants. It is a good choice for beginners who already have a fully cycled tank: once settled it is hardy, but it struggles in a brand-new setup.
Care and tank setup
A school of ten neons needs at least 16 gallons (60 L), ideally a long tank rather than a tall one, with gentle filtration and a heater. They prefer soft, slightly acidic water, though captive-bred fish adapt to moderate hardness as long as conditions are stable.
- Aquascape: plenty of plants, driftwood and dried Indian almond leaves; dark substrate and moderate light bring out their colors.
- Tank mates: great with corydoras, rasboras, otocinclus, shrimp and other small tetras. Avoid adult angelfish and any fish big enough to swallow them.
- School size: in small groups they hide and fade; the bigger the school, the more natural their behavior.
Common mistakes: adding them to an uncycled tank, sudden swings in temperature or pH, and rushed acclimation. Change 20-30% of the water weekly and avoid going above 79 °F (26 °C), which shortens their lives. Never release them into the wild.
Feeding
Neons are omnivores and easy to feed. A quality fine flake or micro pellet makes a good staple, supplemented several times a week with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms or cyclops. Offer small portions once or twice a day, only what they finish in two minutes. Their mouths are tiny, so crush larger flakes. One fasting day a week is healthy.
Breeding
Neon tetras scatter their eggs among fine-leaved plants and provide no parental care. Breeding them at home is possible but takes a separate tank with very soft, acidic water, dim lighting and Java moss or a mesh so the parents cannot eat the eggs. The fry are tiny and need infusoria for the first days. In a community tank, fry rarely survive.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Neon 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 Neon tetra, and why.
- Common goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Angelfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, 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 Neon tetra healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Neon tetra need?
At least about 60 liters for a group of at least 10 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Neon tetra need?
Between 20 and 26 °C, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Neon 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 Neon 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.
