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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Ghost Shrimp live with Neon Tetra?

Ghost Shrimp

Ghost Shrimp

Palaemon paludosus (trade group)

semi-aggressive~4cm
Neon Tetra

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

peaceful~4cm
VerdictCAUTION

Caution. Check the issues below before buying.

Ghost Shrimp + Neon Tetra: Caution advised. Ghost shrimp are semi-aggressive and have been documented pinning small or stressed neons at night. Adult neons in a confident school usually escape, but the pairing is not the gentle shrimp tank the labels suggest.

Compatibility score

72/100

Profile confidence: low

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

40L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 40L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C20–26°C shared
Ghost ShrimpNeon TetraShared window
pH
Range7–7 shared
Ghost ShrimpNeon TetraShared window
Temperament / behaviour

Temperament gap (semi-aggressive vs peaceful) — needs space, structure, and careful observation, not a “drop and forget” mix.

Assessment details

  1. Caution advised

    Top issue

    Ghost shrimp are semi-aggressive and have been documented pinning small or stressed neons at night. Adult neons in a confident school usually escape, but the pairing is not the gentle shrimp tank the labels suggest.

  2. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

  3. Narrow pH overlap

    These fish can share water but their ideal pH ranges overlap only slightly. Aim to keep pH stable in the shared range.

“Ghost shrimp are semi-aggressive and have been documented…”

Caution advised

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • •Ghost Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
  • •Neon Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Ghost Shrimp + Neon Tetra

Compare another pairOpen tank builder

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: medium. Driven by the lower-confidence profile (Ghost Shrimp): Typical care sources — trade names for this fish get mixed up, so verify the ID before you buy.

Full tank-mate guides

Related pair checks

Ghost Shrimp + Neon Tetra — common questions

Can Ghost Shrimp live with Neon Tetra?
Yes, if you plan for it. The verdict is CAUTION, which means the pairing works when specific conditions are met, not by default. The first condition: Ghost Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
What tank size do you need for Ghost Shrimp and Neon Tetra together?
Plan around 40 litres as the working minimum. That figure comes from each species' published minimum and their group needs, and it assumes adult sizes, not shop sizes.
What's the main risk?
Narrow pH overlap. That is the first thing to plan around. The matching entry under assessment details on this page explains the reasoning and the numbers behind it.
What should you check before buying?
Neon Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.