Can Neon Tetra Live With Red-Tail Catfish?
Neon Tetra and Red-Tail Catfish are NOT compatible tank mates.
Detailed Analysis
Known Pairing
✗ Not Compatible
Red-Tail Catfish and Neon Tetra are known to have compatibility issues.
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Good temperature overlap at 72–79°F.
pH
✓ Compatible
Good pH overlap at 6.0–7.0.
Size
✗ Not Compatible
Extreme size difference. Red-Tail Catfish (48") may eat or bully Neon Tetra (1.5").
Temperament
⚠ Use Caution
Neon Tetra (peaceful) may have issues with Red-Tail Catfish (semi-aggressive). Monitor closely if attempting.
Swim Level
✓ Compatible
Fish occupy different water levels (Neon Tetra: middle, Red-Tail Catfish: bottom), reducing conflict.
Trait Conflict
✗ Not Compatible
Red-Tail Catfish is a predator and may eat Neon Tetra.
Important Notes
- Neon Tetra is a schooling fish and needs at least 6 of its kind.
Tank Requirements
Minimum tank size for this combination: 300 gallons
| Parameter | Neon Tetra | Red-Tail Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 70–81°F | 72–79°F |
| pH | 6–7 | 5.5–7.2 |
| Max Size | 1.5" | 48" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Swim Level | Middle | Bottom |
| Min Tank | 10 gal | 300 gal |
Check More Combinations
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