Can Cuckoo Catfish Live With Lemon Tetra?
Cuckoo Catfish and Lemon Tetra CAN coexist, but with some risks. Careful setup and monitoring required.
Detailed Analysis
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Good temperature overlap at 75–82°F.
pH
⚠ Use Caution
Very narrow pH overlap (7.5–7.5). Hard to maintain precisely.
Size
⚠ Use Caution
Significant size difference (7" vs 1.5"). Cuckoo Catfish may bully or stress Lemon Tetra.
Temperament
⚠ Use Caution
Cuckoo Catfish (semi-aggressive) may have issues with Lemon Tetra (peaceful). Monitor closely if attempting.
Swim Level
✓ Compatible
Fish occupy different water levels (Cuckoo Catfish: bottom, Lemon Tetra: middle), reducing conflict.
Important Notes
- Cuckoo Catfish is a schooling fish and needs at least 3 of its kind.
- Lemon Tetra is a schooling fish and needs at least 6 of its kind.
Tank Requirements
Minimum tank size for this combination: 48 gallons
| Parameter | Cuckoo Catfish | Lemon Tetra |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 75–82°F | 72–82°F |
| pH | 7.5–9 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Max Size | 7" | 1.5" |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swim Level | Bottom | Middle |
| Min Tank | 40 gal | 15 gal |
Check More Combinations
Use our compatibility checker to add more fish and plan your complete tank.