Neon Tetra (School of 6)

Guppy

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Guppy

Poecilia reticulata

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 6.8–7.8

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Top

Nature: peaceful

Size: 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm)

Betta

Can work in 20+ gallon tanks with lots of plants. Monitor closely.

Betta

Betta splendens

Temp: 76–82°F

pH: 6.5–7.5

Tank: 5+ gal

Swim: Top

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 2.5–3 inches (6–7 cm)

Corydoras

Classic peaceful community combination. Both prefer soft, acidic water.

Corydoras

Corydoras spp.

Temp: 72–79°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) depending on species

Angelfish

Adult angelfish may eat small neon tetras. Safer with larger tetras.

Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Temp: 76–84°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 30+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 6 inches long, up to 10 inches tall (15 × 25 cm)

Molly

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Molly

Poecilia sphenops

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 7–8.5

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 3–4.5 inches (7–11 cm)

Platy

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

Temp: 70–80°F

pH: 7–8.2

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2–3 inches (5–7 cm)

Swordtail

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Swordtail

Xiphophorus hellerii

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 7–8.4

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) including sword

Cherry Barb

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Cherry Barb

Puntius titteya

Temp: 73–81°F

pH: 6–7

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm)

Harlequin Rasbora

Both are peaceful schooling fish that mix well.

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Temp: 72–81°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm)

Dwarf Gourami

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Dwarf Gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Top

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm)

Bristlenose Pleco

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus spp.

Temp: 73–81°F

pH: 6.5–7.5

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)

Otocinclus

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Otocinclus

Otocinclus spp.

Temp: 72–79°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 1.5–2 inches (3.5–5 cm)

Cherry Shrimp

Neon tetras are too small to threaten adult cherry shrimp.

Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Temp: 65–80°F

pH: 6.5–8

Tank: 5+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm)

Amano Shrimp

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Temp: 70–80°F

pH: 6.5–7.5

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Nerite Snail

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Nerite Snail

Neritina spp.

Temp: 72–78°F

pH: 7–8.5

Tank: 5+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 0.5–1 inch (1.5–2.5 cm)

Mystery Snail

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Mystery Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Temp: 68–82°F

pH: 7–8

Tank: 5+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Tiger Barb

Semi-aggressive species — monitor for aggression.

Tiger Barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

Temp: 74–82°F

pH: 6–8

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 2.5–3 inches (6–7 cm)

Danio

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Danio

Danio spp.

Temp: 64–78°F

pH: 6.5–7.5

Tank: 10+ gal

Swim: Top

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) for zebra danio; giant danio up to 4 inches

Rainbowfish

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Rainbowfish

Melanotaeniidae spp.

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 6.5–8

Tank: 30+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) depending on species

Clown Loach

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Temp: 77–86°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 75+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) — grows slowly but eventually large

African Cichlid

African cichlids will eat small tetras. Only keep with similar-sized cichlids.

African Cichlid

Various (Mbuna, Peacock, Hap)

Temp: 76–82°F

pH: 7.8–8.6

Tank: 55+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 3–8 inches (7–20 cm) depending on species

American Cichlid

Most American cichlids will eat small tetras.

American Cichlid

Various (Geophagus, Convict, etc.)

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 40+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 3–18 inches (7–45 cm) depending on species

Knifefish

Knifefish will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouth.

Knifefish

Various (Chitala, Xenomystus)

Temp: 75–82°F

pH: 6–7

Tank: 100+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 8–20 inches (20–50 cm) depending on species

Goldfish

Goldfish are coldwater, tetras are tropical — incompatible temperatures.

Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Temp: 60–74°F

pH: 6.5–7.5

Tank: 20+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: peaceful

Size: 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) for common; 4–8 inches for fancy varieties

Puffer

Some puffers may nip at small fish. Species-dependent.

Puffer

Various (Tetraodon, Dichotomyctere)

Temp: 74–82°F

pH: 7–8

Tank: 30+ gal

Swim: Mid

Nature: semi-aggressive

Size: 1–6 inches (2.5–15 cm) depending on species

Catfish

Both peaceful species, generally compatible.

Catfish

Various (Synodontis, Pimelodus)

Temp: 72–82°F

pH: 6–7.5

Tank: 30+ gal

Swim: Bottom

Nature: peaceful

Size: 2–12 inches (5–30 cm) depending on species