Green neon tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 27, 2026Research-based

The green neon tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) is the smallest of the three neon-type tetras, a cousin of the neon and the cardinal with a blue-green stripe that runs all the way to the tail and only a little red below it (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op). Seriously Fish says it lives only in blackwater streams of the upper rio Negro and Orinoco in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, and that every fish in the trade is wild-collected; it is not bred commercially. It is sometimes sold as the false neon or blue neon tetra. Don't confuse it with the green neon rasbora, a different fish covered in kubotai rasboras with shrimp.

Green neon tetra at a glance

Will green neon tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: no. Aquarium Co-Op says green neons are usually safe with adult dwarf shrimp, and its cherry shrimp tank-mate guide names the green neon as one of the small tetras that pose little threat to full-grown cherry shrimp.
• Shrimplets: some will be eaten. Aquarium Co-Op says they may try to snack on babies, and Practical Fishkeeping's Neale Monks warns that pretty much any active fish, even a small tetra, sees hatchling shrimp as food. Practical Fishkeeping adds that fish with tiny mouths mostly take only the youngest shrimp.
• Eggs and berried females: safe. Shrimp carry their eggs under the tail.

For a farm-bred tetra that is easier on water, compare neon tetras with shrimp and glowlight tetras with shrimp. For an even gentler option, see ember tetras with shrimp, or the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 75–81 °F, pH 3.0–6.5 and 1–8 dGH for green neons. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). Those ranges only touch at about pH 6.2–6.5. Aquarium Co-Op says it has kept green neons at pH 7.0–8.0 and suggests asking the store what water it holds them in. By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 76–80 °F, pH 6.5–7.0 and GH 4–6 is a workable middle ground. It sits at the hard, alkaline end for the fish, so acclimate slowly and keep the water stable. See shrimp tank pH and GH and KH explained.
• With crystal and other Caridina: soft, acidic water suits the fish, but crystal reds do best at about 68–74 °F (see crystal red shrimp care), below the green neon's 75 °F minimum, so it's a compromise.

Seriously Fish says this species is sensitive to changing or worsening water, so match temperature and hardness at every water change. See shrimp tank water changes and shrimp water parameters.

Tank size and setup

• Size: a base of at least 18 × 12 in (Seriously Fish); Aquarium Co-Op suggests 10 gallons or larger for a group of 10.
• Mature tank only: Seriously Fish says never add green neons to a new, biologically immature tank. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Dim light and plants: Seriously Fish suggests fairly dim light with Java fern, moss, Cryptocoryne and floating plants, plus sand, driftwood and leaf litter. Moss also gives shrimplets cover. See java moss for shrimp and driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Gentle flow: Aquarium Co-Op suggests a sponge filter or a pre-filter sponge so the fish aren't pulled in, which also protects shrimplets. See shrimp-safe filters.

Keep a real school

Seriously Fish recommends buying at least 8–10, because a group is less shy and behaves more naturally. Aquarium Co-Op says six is the minimum for most schooling fish but green neons are more comfortable with at least 10. Mature females are rounder and a little larger than males (Seriously Fish).

Other good tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests keeping green neons alone or with tiny, peaceful characins and small catfish. Aquarium Co-Op adds corydoras for the bottom. For a shrimp tank, see pygmy corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and pygmy hatchetfish with shrimp for the surface.

Feeding both

Green neons eat small invertebrates and algae in the wild (Seriously Fish). Feed small foods they can swallow, such as crumbled flakes, nano pellets, baby brine shrimp, Daphnia and frozen cyclops (Aquarium Co-Op), with live or frozen bloodworm and Daphnia for variety (Seriously Fish). Well-fed fish hunt less, so feed the tetras first, then drop sinking shrimp food in a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add green neon tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish.
• Ask about the store's water and acclimate slowly to yours (Aquarium Co-Op). Wild fish can be delicate after import (Seriously Fish). See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimplet numbers for the first few weeks.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Adding wild-caught fish to a newly set-up tank.
• Bright light and no cover, which keeps them shy.
• Mixing them up with green neon rasboras, which are a different fish.
• Big pH swings during water changes.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will green neon tetras eat cherry shrimp?

Not adults. Aquarium Co-Op says green neons are usually safe with adult dwarf shrimp, but they may snack on babies.

Are green neon tetras the same as green neon rasboras?

No. The green neon tetra is Paracheirodon simulans from South America; the green neon rasbora is Microdevario kubotai from Southeast Asia (Seriously Fish).

What water do green neon tetras need?

Seriously Fish lists 75 to 81 °F, pH 3.0 to 6.5 and 1 to 8 dGH. Aquarium Co-Op has kept them at pH 7.0 to 8.0. With cherry shrimp, aim for about pH 6.5 to 7.0.

How many green neon tetras should I keep?

At least 8 to 10 (Seriously Fish); Aquarium Co-Op suggests at least 10 in a 10-gallon tank or larger.

How big do green neon tetras get?

About 1 inch (25 mm standard length), according to Seriously Fish and Aquarium Co-Op.

Can green neon tetras live with crystal shrimp?

The soft, acidic water suits both, but crystal reds prefer about 68 to 74 °F, below the green neon's 75 °F minimum, so it is a compromise.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Paracheirodon simulans (green neon tetra) (upper rio Negro and Orinoco; blackwater only; wild-collected, not bred commercially; false or blue neon; 25 mm SL; base 45 × 30 cm; dim light, Microsorum, Taxiphyllum, Cryptocoryne, floating plants, leaf litter; sensitive to fluctuating water, never into immature tanks; 24–27 °C, pH 3.0–6.5, 1–8 dGH; omnivore, small live and frozen foods; peaceful, best alone or with tiny characins and small catfish; 8–10 minimum; females rounder); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for green neon tetras (about 1 in, smallest of cardinal, neon and green neon; pH 3.0–6.5 in the wild, kept at 7.0–8.0 by Aquarium Co-Op; 74–82 °F; sponge filter; dim light and floating plants; 6+, at least 10 in 10 gallons; corydoras; usually safe with adult dwarf shrimp but may snack on babies; small foods); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (green neon and ember tetras pose little threat to full-grown cherry shrimp); Practical Fishkeeping, Can I safely add some shrimp? (any active predator fish, even a small tetra, sees hatchling shrimp as food); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (tiny-mouthed fish take only the youngest shrimp; build the colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zones and stocking suggestions are our own.