Compatibility brief
Can Cherry Barb live with Neon Tetra?
Often a workable match in a suitable, well-run tank. Still verify behaviour in your setup.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: high
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
60L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 60L (larger active fish often want more length).
Cherry barbs are the calm barb option, and neon tetras are classic peaceful midwater fish, so fin-nipping is not the usual failure mode here. Both want soft water and a settled community tank rather than a brand-new setup. The practical limits are group size and confidence: cherry barbs below six hide and look dull, and neons below six behave like stressed singles. Neither species is aggressive, but a pair of barbs next to a neon school is a different story from two proper schools sharing water.
Assessment details
Compatible temperaments
Both Cherry Barb and Neon Tetra share a peaceful temperament.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Stock six or more cherry barbs and six or more neon tetras in a cycled planted tank, hold stable soft water, and skip large predatory centrepieces.
- •Cherry Barb should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- •Neon Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- Seriously Fish. Puntius titteya
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Puntius titteya
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Puntius titteya
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- FishBase. Pethia titteya
Taxonomy, distribution, and typical max length in natural/wild contexts (cross-check to aquarium import lines).
- Wikipedia. Pethia titteya (cherry barb)
Encyclopaedia overview; use specialist aquarium sources for your stock's real temperature/pH/footprint needs.
- Seriously Fish. Paracheirodon innesi
Supports: aquarium size, water chemistry, temperament and compatibility (primary care reference).
- FishBase. Paracheirodon innesi
Supports: taxonomy and wild maximum size — translate to tank stocking, not a target number.
- Wikipedia. Paracheirodon innesi
Supports: general species background and common-name orientation only.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Cherry Barb + Neon Tetra
Plan further
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.