What fish can live with Green neon tetra?

Usually safer companions on this hub include Chili Rasbora, Dwarf Gourami, Ember Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Neon Tetra, Pygmy Corydoras. Open each pair check before you buy — the list is a shortlist, not a guarantee.

What tank mates should you avoid with Green neon tetra?

Avoid African Cichlid, Angelfish, Jack Dempsey, Oscar based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.

What size tank do Green neon tetra need for a community?

60L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload. A 73L+ tank is the more comfortable long-term footprint. Length and depth matter as much as raw litres for active or territorial fish.

Green neon tetra tank mates

Smaller than regular neons at 2.5 cm with a longer green band. Requires soft acidic blackwater for full colour. Tougher than its label suggests.

Common mistakeKeeping green neons in hard neutral tap is how keepers invent pale, undifferentiated fish that look nothing like the bag photo. Soften and stabilise water first. Eight or more in softish planted cover beats a hard bright handful every time — chemistry is not optional.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Each name below opens a pair check with Green neon tetra. That check is the decision, not the list itself.

← Full Green neon tetra profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More tetra

Usually safer companions

Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.

Chili Rasbora Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Chili Rasbora as a safe tank mate. Chili Rasbora schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Dwarf Gourami Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Dwarf Gourami as a recommended pairing. Dwarf Gourami grows bigger than Green neon tetra (8cm vs 2.5cm). Stock the Green neon tetra group large enough to outnumber the Dwarf Gourami, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
Ember Tetra Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Ember Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Ember Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Harlequin Rasbora Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Harlequin Rasbora as a recommended pairing. Harlequin Rasbora schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Harlequin Rasbora grows bigger than Green neon tetra (5cm vs 2.5cm). Stock the Green neon tetra group large enough to outnumber the Harlequin Rasbora, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
Neon Tetra Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Neon Tetra as a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Pygmy Corydoras Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Pygmy Corydoras as a safe tank mate. Pygmy Corydoras schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Sparkling Gourami Pair check
The Green neon tetra profile lists Sparkling Gourami as a safe tank mate. Sparkling Gourami schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.

Risky or situational

May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.

Betta Open pair check
Betta is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Green neon tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Corydoras Catfish Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Pea Puffer Open pair check
Pea Puffer is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Pea Puffer is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Green neon tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Serpae Tetra Open pair check
Serpae Tetra is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Green neon tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Tiger Barb Open pair check
Tiger Barb is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Green neon tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.

Fish to avoid with Green neon tetra

Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.

African Cichlid See why (pair)
African Cichlid reaches 15cm and is flagged predatory. Green neon tetra at 2.5cm is prey-sized for it. African Cichlid needs at least 200L, far above the 60L minimum for Green neon tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. African Cichlid is rated aggressive and Green neon tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Angelfish See why (pair)
Angelfish reaches 20cm and is flagged predatory. Green neon tetra at 2.5cm is prey-sized for it. Angelfish needs at least 150L, far above the 60L minimum for Green neon tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other.
Jack Dempsey See why (pair)
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Green neon tetra at 2.5cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey needs at least 200L, far above the 60L minimum for Green neon tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Green neon tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Green neon tetra at 2.5cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 60L minimum for Green neon tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Green neon tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Green neon tetra: 60L. Group minimum 8 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 60L hub.

Easier alternatives to consider

Hardier first-tank names from the library. Still read the profile. Not a substitute for reading this one.

Plan before you buy

Start a pair check with Green neon tetra, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.

Open pair checker Open this plan in builder

Tank hubs: 60L

Filtration & heating

A 60L minimum tank for Green neon tetra needs a filter rated for at least 240L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–27°C.

Filter size guide →Heater size guide →Tank setup checklist →Beginner plants guide →

Related (care + temperament)