Neon Tetra tank mates
Paracheirodon innesi
5 rated pairings from the Neon Tetra care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Neon Tetra needs at least 10 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
3 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful algae eater with identical water parameter requirements; shares mid-water and bottom zones without conflict
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Closely related tetra with identical water requirements and peaceful schooling behavior; compatible tank mate
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful invertebrate that shares soft water preference and provides algae control without competing for food
Good matches
2 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
15 gal min · 3.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Peaceful mid-water swimmer that tolerates slightly acidic water; may occasionally chase but rarely injure tetras
Bolivian Ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Gentle dwarf cichlid that prefers similar warm, soft water; may occasionally chase but generally compatible with schools
Also recommended alongside Neon Tetra
Species whose own guides list Neon Tetra as a tank mate.
Java Fern
Microsorum pteropus
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus grisebachii
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbarius corneus
5 gal min · 0.75" adult · Peaceful
Bladder Snail
Physella acuta
5 gal min · 0.5" adult · Peaceful
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
10 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Duckweed
Lemna minor
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
10 gal min · 0.8" adult · Peaceful
Anubias Nana
Anubias barteri var. nana
Julii Corydoras
Corydoras julii
15 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Fancy Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Red Root Floater
Phyllanthus fluitans
Bacopa Caroliniana
Bacopa caroliniana
Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Hornwort
Ceratophyllum demersum
Java Fern Windelov
Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Assassin Snail
Clea helena
5 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
10 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp.
20 gal min · 5" adult · Peaceful
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.