Species · Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon tetra: tank size, water and tank mates

Peaceful, adaptable tetra.

Adult size4 cm (1.6 in)
Minimum tank20 US gal
Temperature23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
pH5.5–7.5
Temperamentpeaceful
Keep in groups of8+
Swimsmid
Shrimp & snailsUsually safe

Check a tank with Lemon tetra

Good tank mates for Lemon tetra

These species share its temperature range and temperament, with no fin-nipping or predation risk under our rules. Still check your tank size and bioload in the checker.

African dwarf frog · Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · Amano shrimp · Assassin snail · Banjo catfish · Betta (male) · Black neon tetra · Black phantom tetra · Black ruby barb · Black skirt tetra · Bleeding heart tetra · Bloodfin tetra · Boeseman's rainbowfish · Bristlenose pleco · Bronze corydoras · Buenos Aires tetra · Bumblebee goby · Cardinal tetra · Celestial pearl danio · Checkerboard barb · Cherry barb · Cherry shrimp · Chili rasbora · Clown killifish

Avoid with Lemon tetra

African butterflyfish (predation) · Banded archerfish (predation) · Black ghost knifefish (predation) · Blue acara (predation) · Common / comet goldfish (temperature) · Convict cichlid (predation) · Demasoni cichlid (aggression) · Fancy goldfish (temperature) · Jack Dempsey (predation) · Jewel cichlid (predation) · Medaka (temperature) · Oscar (predation) · Paradise fish (temperature) · Pea puffer (aggression) · Pictus catfish (predation) · Rosy barb (temperature) · Senegal bichir (predation) · Severum (predation)

Sources

Checked 2026-11-09 · confidence: high. These are cautious community guidelines, not guarantees. Not veterinary advice. Report an error.