Lemon tetras with shrimp

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

The lemon tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) is a mostly see-through tetra that turns a rich yellow once it settles in a planted tank, with yellow, black and white marks on the dorsal and anal fins and a bright red upper eye (Practical Fishkeeping, Seriously Fish). It is a close relative of the black neon tetra, in the same genus. Its wild origin is still unclear: it is usually linked to the rio Tapajós basin in Brazil, but fish matching the aquarium form have been photographed in the lower rio Xingu (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). Nearly all lemon tetras sold are farmed, because wild fish are rarely collected (Seriously Fish), and generations of captive breeding have made them sturdy and adaptable (Maidenhead Aquatics, Practical Fishkeeping).

Lemon tetra at a glance

Will lemon tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: our sources don't single out lemon tetras either way. Aquarium Co-Op's tank-mate guide says tiny-mouthed nano fish pose little threat to full-grown cherry shrimp but warns against medium-sized and larger fish, and Practical Fishkeeping's Nathan Hill personally counts the larger tetras among fish that will eventually eat shrimp, while admitting some hobbyists keep them together successfully. A 1.6-inch, deep-bodied lemon sits between those groups, so in our reading full-grown female cherry shrimp usually fare better than small males and freshly molted shrimp.
• Shrimplets: expect them to be eaten. Neale Monks at Practical Fishkeeping says pretty much any active fish, even one as small as a tetra, views hatchling shrimp as food. Lemons eat small invertebrates and crustaceans in the wild (Seriously Fish).
• Eggs and berried females: safe while carried. Shrimp hold their eggs under the tail.

Maidenhead Aquatics even recommends the lemon for communities of larger fish, since it is too big for many tankmates to eat. That makes it a different kind of fish from the tiny-mouthed nano species. For gentler choices, compare ember tetras with shrimp, green neon tetras with shrimp and black neon tetras with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 68–82 °F, pH 5.0–7.5 and 1–12 dGH, and Maidenhead Aquatics says captive-raised lemons adapt to pH 6–8. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 72–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 4–8 suits both comfortably. See shrimp tank pH and GH and KH explained.
• With crystal and other Caridina: the soft, slightly acidic water overlaps, and Seriously Fish's range reaches down to 68 °F, so a cool, soft tank can work for the fish (see crystal red shrimp care). Given the price of crystal shrimp and the shrimplet risk, we wouldn't pair them (our reading).

Keep conditions steady at water changes. See shrimp tank water changes and shrimp water parameters.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 31 × 12 in, a 30-inch-long tank or larger.
• Cycled tank: lemons are hardy, but shrimp are not; start with a mature tank. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Plants and cover: Seriously Fish suggests sand with driftwood or a heavily planted tank, and dried leaf litter for extra cover. Maidenhead Aquatics says their yellow deepens in blackwater setups. Dense moss and stem plants give shrimp places to hide (Aquarium Co-Op). See java moss for shrimp and driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Shrimp-safe intake: a sponge filter or pre-filter keeps shrimplets out of the filter (our suggestion). See shrimp-safe filters.

Keep a real school

Maidenhead Aquatics says lemons are best kept in groups of 6 or more. Males display to females and defend their personal space against rival males, which is normal, harmless behavior (Maidenhead Aquatics). Males are slimmer, slightly smaller and more intensely colored, especially in the fins, while females are fuller-bodied (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). Shop fish often look pale; Practical Fishkeeping says mature fish in a planted tank color up far better.

Other good tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, smaller catfish and small, non-predatory cichlids. Maidenhead Aquatics says lemons also suit tanks with large, peaceful cichlids such as eartheaters. Cichlids are not shrimp-safe, so leave them out of a shrimp tank (Practical Fishkeeping, Aquarium Co-Op). See pygmy corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and marbled hatchetfish with shrimp.

Feeding both

In aquariums lemons accept dried foods, but Seriously Fish recommends a varied menu with live and frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Daphnia and Moina. Maidenhead Aquatics feeds flake, micropellets, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp and Daphnia. 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 lemon tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish, and lots of hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses.
• Consider bigger shrimp. Neale Monks suggests larger shrimp such as Amanos when the fish are likely to eat babies. See Amano shrimp care.
• Acclimate slowly to your water. See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimp numbers for the first few weeks, especially after molts.
• 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

• Treating a 1.6-inch, deep-bodied tetra like a tiny nano fish.
• Expecting a cherry colony to grow quickly with a school of lemons hunting the babies.
• Adding the large cichlids lemons are sometimes kept with to a shrimp tank.
• Judging their color in the shop; they color up once settled.

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 lemon tetras eat cherry shrimp?

They will eat shrimplets, like any active tetra (Practical Fishkeeping). No source we checked singles them out for eating adults, but they are a deeper-bodied, mid-size tetra, so give adult shrimp dense cover.

How big do lemon tetras get?

About 1.6 inches (40 mm standard length) per Seriously Fish, or 4 cm per Maidenhead Aquatics.

What water do lemon tetras need?

Seriously Fish lists 68 to 82 °F, pH 5.0 to 7.5 and 1 to 12 dGH. With cherry shrimp, about 72 to 78 °F and pH 6.5 to 7.5 suits both.

How many lemon tetras should I keep?

Six or more (Maidenhead Aquatics), in a tank with a base of at least 31 by 12 inches (Seriously Fish).

Are lemon tetras hardy?

Yes. They have been farmed for generations and adapt to a wide range of water (Maidenhead Aquatics, Practical Fishkeeping).

What shrimp are safest with lemon tetras?

Larger shrimp such as Amanos, which Neale Monks at Practical Fishkeeping suggests when fish are likely to eat babies.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis (lemon tetra) (Tapajós and possibly Xingu, origin uncertain; farmed commercially, albino form, wild fish rarely collected; 40 mm SL; base 80 × 30 cm; sand, driftwood, heavy planting, leaf litter; 20–28 °C, pH 5.0–7.5, 1–12 dGH; omnivore, small invertebrates and crustacea; bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Daphnia, Moina; very peaceful; similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small catfish, non-predatory cichlids; males slimmer and more colorful); Maidenhead Aquatics (fishkeeper.co.uk), Lemon tetra (4 cm; 23–28 °C; captive-raised fish adapt to pH 6–8, KH to 20; good with larger fish and peaceful cichlids such as eartheaters; groups of 6+; males defend space; color deepens in blackwater; females fuller; flake, micropellets, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, Daphnia); Practical Fishkeeping, Community tetras: alternatives to butter (hardy, cheap, commercially bred and adaptable; colors up in planted tanks; red eye; about 4 cm); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (tiny-mouthed nano fish little threat to adult cherry shrimp; avoid medium to large fish; dense foliage hides babies); Practical Fishkeeping, Can I safely add some shrimp? (any active fish, even a small tetra, sees hatchling shrimp as food; larger shrimp such as Amanos as an alternative); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (larger tetras and barbs likely to eat shrimp in the author's view; build the colony first; hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates; cichlids not shrimp-safe); 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, shrimp-risk reading and stocking suggestions are our own.