Neon tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 25, 2026Research-based

The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a small characid from acidic forest streams in the Amazon basin of Colombia, Brazil and Peru and one of the most widely kept aquarium fish in the world. It is also one of the fish shrimp sellers most often name as compatible: The Shrimp Farm lists neon and cardinal tetras among the peaceful, small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp. The catch is the same as with most nano fish: adults are safe, babies are food.

Neon tetra at a glance

Will neon tetras eat shrimp?

• Adults: no. The Shrimp Farm's tankmates guide rates neons as "does not eat adult shrimp", and its FAQ names neon and cardinal tetras among small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp.
• Shrimplets: yes, some. Neons eat small invertebrates and crustaceans in the wild (Seriously Fish), and a newborn shrimp is that size. The Shrimp Farm's FAQ says that if you plan to breed shrimp and raise the young, you shouldn't keep fish with them.
• Behavior: Practical Fishkeeping notes that shrimp may hide more and breed less with any fish present, and that losses fall with plenty of plants, hiding places and well-fed fish. It also puts larger tetras on its avoid list, so don't treat "tetra" as a safe category; neons are on the small end.

In practice, a cherry shrimp colony can keep growing alongside neons if there is plenty of moss, but more slowly than on its own. The trade-off is similar to ember tetras and celestial pearl danios. See cherry shrimp tank mates for other options.

Want a fish for harder water? See Endler's livebearers with shrimp.

Matching the water

Neons come from soft, acidic water, while cherry shrimp are usually kept neutral to slightly hard. Commercially bred neons are more adaptable than wild fish (Seriously Fish), and the overlap is workable:

The shared zone is our comparison of the published ranges, not a tested target; stability matters more than an exact number. Soft-water Caridina such as crystal red shrimp kept below pH 7 fit the neon's natural water even better. See shrimp tank pH and GH and KH explained.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish recommends a base of at least 24 × 12 in (about 14 gallons), and The Shrimp Farm lists 15 gallons or more. A school of neons is a poor fit for a 5-gallon shrimp nano. See how many shrimp per gallon.
• Plants and cover: Aquarium Co-Op says neons like plant cover to hide in. Moss and dense plants are also where shrimplets survive; see best plants for a shrimp tank and java moss.
• Dim light: Seriously Fish says neons seem to do best under fairly dim lighting, with shade-tolerant plants such as java fern, mosses and Cryptocoryne, plus floating plants. See shrimp tank lighting.
• Leaf litter: optional, but Seriously Fish suggests it, and it also grows biofilm for shrimp; see driftwood and botanicals.
• Gentle filtration: a sponge filter or prefiltered intake suits both; see shrimp-safe filters.

Feeding both

• Varied small foods: Seriously Fish says neons survive on dried food but do best with a varied menu that includes small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and moina.
• Feed the shrimp on the bottom: neons feed mostly in the water column, so sinking shrimp food mostly reaches the shrimp; see best shrimp food.
• Well-fed fish hunt less. Practical Fishkeeping lists well-fed fish as one way to reduce shrimp losses.

Buying healthy neons

Seriously Fish warns that years of commercial breeding have weakened the ornamental strain, and that neons are prone to "neon tetra disease", caused by a microsporidian parasite that is virtually untreatable once advanced. Its advice is to watch the fish in the shop and skip any batch with restless fish, white patches or fish holding apart from the school. That matters more in a shrimp tank, because many fish medications are not safe for shrimp (Practical Fishkeeping). Quarantine new neons in a separate tank; see how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp. If fish in the tank get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp.

How to add neon tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish.
• Mature tank: fully cycled and stable; see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Add a proper school. Aquarium Co-Op says 6 is the bare minimum and to add more within a few weeks; Seriously Fish suggests a mixed-sex group of at least 8 to 10.

Common mistakes

• Buying only three or four neons.
• Choosing larger tetras because neons worked; Practical Fishkeeping puts larger tetras on its avoid list.
• A bright, bare tank with nowhere for shrimplets to hide.
• Buying neons from a tank with sick fish in it.
• Medicating fish in the shrimp tank.

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

Can neon tetras live with cherry shrimp?

Yes, usually. The Shrimp Farm rates neons as not eating adult shrimp and names them among small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp. Expect some shrimplet losses.

Will neon tetras eat baby shrimp?

Some, yes. Newborn shrimp are about the size of the small crustaceans neons eat in the wild. Thick moss and dense plants let enough survive for a colony to grow slowly.

How many neon tetras should I keep with shrimp?

At least 8 to 10 (Seriously Fish). Aquarium Co-Op calls 6 the bare minimum.

What size tank do neon tetras and shrimp need?

About 15 gallons or larger (The Shrimp Farm); Seriously Fish suggests at least a 24 × 12 in base.

What water works for both?

Roughly 72 to 77 °F, pH 6.5 to 7.5 and GH 4 to 8 for cherry shrimp. Keep it stable.

Are cardinal tetras also safe with shrimp?

The Shrimp Farm rates cardinal tetras the same as neons: they don't eat adult shrimp. Cardinals are a little larger and need 20 gallons or more.

Should I add neon tetras or shrimp first?

Shrimp first, in a cycled, mature tank, so the colony is established before the fish arrive (Practical Fishkeeping).

Sources: Seriously Fish, Paracheirodon innesi (neon tetra) (Paracheirodon innesi; Amazon basin in Colombia, Brazil and Peru; forest streams with acidic, soft, often humic-stained water, branches, roots and leaf litter; 30 mm SL; base 60 × 30 cm, about 14 US gal; 21–25 °C, pH 4.0–7.5, 1–12 dGH; does best under fairly dim light, shade-tolerant and floating plants; commercial fish more adaptable than wild; varied diet with small live and frozen foods; wild diet small invertebrates and crustaceans; peaceful; mixed-sex group of at least 8–10; commercial strain weakened; neon tetra disease, a microsporidian, virtually untreatable once advanced; avoid buying from tanks showing restlessness, white patches or fish apart from the school); Aquarium Co-Op, Neon tetras and cardinal tetras (schooling fish, bare minimum 6, add more within a few weeks; likes plant cover; most neons captive-raised); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (neon tetra up to 1.2 in, 15+ gallons, beginner-proof, does not eat adult shrimp; small schooling fish in groups of at least six, preferably 10+); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp keeping FAQ (neon and cardinal tetras among peaceful, small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp; no fish if you plan to breed and raise shrimp); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (shrimp hide more and breed less with fish; reduce losses with plants, hiding places and well-fed fish; larger tetras on the avoid list; shrimp first; many medications not invertebrate-safe). Cherry shrimp ranges from our cherry shrimp care guide (The Shrimp Farm). Checked October 25, 2026.