Neon Tetra

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

The most common starter fish. With fewer than 6, stress keeps wearing down their health. They die easily in a freshly set-up tank.

Temp 22~27°CpH 5.5~7.5GH 1~10Adult 3.5 cmGroup 6+Min. tank 30 L · 45 cm+ longSwims middlePrice $0.86

How many fit in each tank?

The largest group where none died in 90 days. Tap water · black sand · bacteria starter on day 1 · fish added on day 10 · 25% weekly water changes.

30 cm cubeNot recommended — needs 45 cm of length
45 cm standard
10
60 cm standard
12
90 cm standard
17
120 cm standard
19
120 cm large
24
Run a 60 cm standard tank with 12 yourself →

Don’t keep with

The same rules the engine uses for tankmates.

Good tankmates

No eating or bullying either way, with plenty of overlap in temperature and pH. Fish that swim at a different level come first.

Beginner picks with this fish

Beginner pick
Neon Tetra + Panda Cory
The classic first planted tank. Neons up top, corys on the bottom.
See it in the Gallery

The numbers on this page come from the Water Kiwoogi simulator model; real tanks can differ.