Compatibility brief
Can Neon Tetra live with Senegal bichir?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
300L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 300L (larger active fish often want more length).
Senegal bichir (35cm adult) may treat small Neon Tetra (~4cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Temperament gap (peaceful vs semi-aggressive) adds stress on top of the hard incompatibility — space and cover do not make this pairing safe.
Assessment details
Temperament difference
Senegal bichir is semi-aggressive, while Neon Tetra is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.
Senegal bichir may eat Neon Tetra
Top issueSenegal bichir (35cm) is predatory and Neon Tetra (4cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.
Narrow temperature overlap
Neon Tetra and Senegal bichir have only a narrow shared temperature range. Maintaining stable water temperature will be important.
“Senegal bichir (35cm) is predatory and Neon Tetra (4cm) is…”
Senegal bichir may eat Neon Tetra
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Neon Tetra can escape if harassed.
- •Neon Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- •Senegal bichir reaches ~35cm: tank length and turning room matter more than the litre number. A tall, short tank of the same volume is not equivalent.
Try instead
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- 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. Polypterus senegalus (subspecies: senegalus)
Supports: aquarium size, water chemistry, temperament and compatibility (primary care reference).
- FishBase. Polypterus senegalus
Supports: taxonomy and wild maximum size — translate to tank stocking, not a target number.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Neon Tetra + Senegal bichir
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.