Compatibility brief
Can Neon Tetra live with Otocinclus?
Often a workable match in a suitable, well-run tank. Still verify behaviour in your setup.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
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).
Assessment details
Known compatible pairing
A staple algae-crew pairing. The only caveat is identity: shop 'otos' are usually O. vittatus or O. macrospilus sold under the wrong name — care is the same, but buy plump, settled fish and feed them properly.
Compatible temperaments
Both Neon Tetra and Otocinclus share a peaceful temperament.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
Data or identification limits
Top issueAt least one fish has common trade or ID ambiguity, so the numbers here may not match the individual in the shop.
“At least one fish has common trade or ID ambiguity, so the…”
Data or identification limits
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Neon Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- •Otocinclus should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- 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.
- Seriously Fish. Otocinclus macrospilus (Otocinclus ‘affinis’ / trade oto stand-in)
Primary stand-in: SF profile for O. macrospilus. Shop 'O. affinis'/'otocinclus' labels are often misidentified. Verify the fish against a good key, not a single import sticker.
- FishBase. Otocinclus affinis
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Otocinclus affinis
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- FishBase. Otocinclus vittatus
Taxonomy, distribution, and typical max length in natural/wild contexts (cross-check to aquarium import lines).
- Wikipedia. Otocinclus
Encyclopaedia overview; use specialist aquarium sources for your stock's real temperature/pH/footprint needs.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Neon Tetra + Otocinclus
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. At least one species here has common trade-name ambiguity.