Best Tetra Companions
Other small schooling fish: rasboras (harlequin, chili, scissortail), pencilfish, hatchetfish, danios.
Bottom dwellers: corydoras catfish, otocinclus, kuhli loaches.
Dwarf cichlids: apistogramma, German blue ram, kribensis (peaceful in large tanks).
Invertebrates
Amano shrimp, ghost shrimp (large adults). Cherry shrimp adults survive but babies are eaten.
Nerite snails for algae control. Mystery snails work too.
- ✦Add tetras first, larger fish second.
- ✦Group sizes matter — schools of 6+ minimum.
Acceptable with Care
Dwarf gourami: peaceful but may chase neon-sized tetras occasionally.
Angelfish: only with tetras 1.5+ inches; will eat smaller ones (especially neons).
Plecos: peaceful but can outgrow community tanks (common pleco reaches 18+ inches).
Avoid These Fish
Cichlids (large): oscars, jack dempsey, flowerhorn — all eat tetras.
Larger gouramis (giant gourami, kissing gourami) — territorial bullies.
Tiger barbs, serpae tetras — aggressive fin nippers.
Predatory fish: arowana, bichir, knifefish — instant snacks.
Tank Size Considerations
Mixing species needs more space. A 30-gallon comfortably holds tetras + corydoras + a few rasboras.
For multi-species community, 55+ gallons opens up more options including dwarf cichlids and small angelfish.