Neon tetra compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Neon tetra, derived from stored behavioural and environmental traits. Each verdict links to the reasoning behind it — including where the evidence runs out.
The species record is on the Neon tetra page. Any pairing not listed here can be assessed on demand with the compatibility checker.
What decides this species' pairings
Counted across every assessment above — the dimensions that actually raise concerns for this animal, rather than the ones a care sheet would list.
| Dimension | Pairings raising it | Share |
|---|---|---|
| temperature | 43 | 48% |
| predation | 34 | 38% |
| zone competition | 30 | 33% |
| breeding aggression | 27 | 30% |
| ph | 18 | 20% |
| territory | 14 | 16% |
Environmental compromise
Whether a shared temperature, pH and hardness band exists is a necessary condition, not evidence that it suits both animals. This counts how good the overlap actually is.
| Overlap quality | Pairings |
|---|---|
| One animal at the edge of its range | 37 |
| Workable | 23 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 20 |
| No overlap at all | 8 |
| Comfortable for both | 2 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (32)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
- with Angelfish5 concerns
- with Bala shark2 concerns
- with Black ghost knifefish3 concerns
- with Blue acara2 concerns
- with Clown knifefish5 concerns
- with Convict cichlid2 concerns
- with Discus4 concerns
- with Eastern rainbowfish2 concerns
- with Electric blue hap7 concerns
- with Electric yellow cichlid6 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid3 concerns
- with Flavescent peacock5 concerns
- with Frontosa6 concerns
- with Giant gourami4 concerns
- with Goldfish3 concerns
- with Green terror3 concerns
- with Iridescent shark3 concerns
- with Jack Dempsey4 concerns
- with Jewel cichlid3 concerns
- with Kissing gourami1 concern
- with Koi carp3 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami3 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Pictus catfish3 concerns
- with Red swamp crayfish2 concerns
- with Red zebra cichlid6 concerns
- with Redtail catfish2 concerns
- with Rope fish2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir2 concerns
- with Severum5 concerns
- with Silver arowana3 concerns
- with Tinfoil barb2 concerns
Poor match (10)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
- with Cardinal tetra2 concerns
- with Clown loach1 concern
- with German blue ram2 concerns
- with Gold nugget pleco2 concerns
- with Golden wonder killifish1 concern
- with Molly4 concerns
- with Sailfin molly2 concerns
- with Siamese fighting fish3 concerns
- with Skunk loach2 concerns
- with White Cloud Mountain minnow2 concerns
Conditional (18)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with American flagfish2 concerns
- with Chili rasbora2 concerns
- with Doctor fish2 concerns
- with Dwarf gourami1 concern
- with Firehead tetra2 concerns
- with Guppy1 concern
- with Kribensis1 concern
- with Kuhli loach1 concern
- with Mystery snail1 concern
- with Nerite snail1 concern
- with Pea puffer3 concerns
- with Pearl gourami1 concern
- with Platy2 concerns
- with Rummy-nose tetra2 concerns
- with Scissortail rasbora2 concerns
- with Silver dollar2 concerns
- with Swordtail3 concerns
- with Yoyo loach1 concern
Generally compatible (19)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Amano shrimp1 concern
- with Black ruby barb1 concern
- with Bleeding heart tetra2 concerns
- with Bloodfin tetra1 concern
- with Bolivian ram1 concern
- with Celestial pearl danio1 concern
- with Cherry barb2 concerns
- with Cherry shrimp1 concern
- with Ember tetra2 concerns
- with Ghost shrimp1 concern
- with Harlequin rasbora1 concern
- with Honey gourami1 concern
- with Indian glassfish1 concern
- with Peacock gudgeon1 concern
- with Red-eye tetra1 concern
- with Serpae tetra1 concern
- with Siamese algae eater1 concern
- with Tiger barb1 concern
- with Upside-down catfish1 concern
Compatible (11)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Bladder snailno concerns
- with Bristlenose plecono concerns
- with Bronze corydorasno concerns
- with Common plecono concerns
- with Otocinclusno concerns
- with Panda corydorasno concerns
- with Peppered corydorasno concerns
- with Pygmy corydorasno concerns
- with Rainbow sharkno concerns
- with Red-tailed black sharkno concerns
- with Zebra daniono concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Incompatible | 32 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |
| Generally compatible | 19 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Conditional | 18 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Compatible | 11 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Poor match | 10 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |