Lemon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
A peaceful, deep-bodied schooling tetra known for its translucent yellow coloration and striking black and yellow fins. They are robust and active, making them an excellent choice for planted community aquariums. Their colors intensify significantly in a well-established tank with a dark substrate and proper schooling numbers.
Lemon Tetra At a Glance
Lemon Tetra Tank Requirements
Will Lemon Tetra fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Lemon Tetra needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Lemon Tetra against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Lemon Tetra Water Parameters
Lemon Tetra Temperament & Compatibility
Lemon Tetra Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard wild-type coloration featuring a translucent silvery-yellow body, bright red upper eye, and anal fins edged in bold yellow and black.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type
Albino
A selectively bred albino morph lacking black pigment. They feature a pale, yellowish-pink body with red eyes while retaining the yellow pigments in their fins.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Albino Lemon Tetra
Lemon Tetra Care Guide Summary
The Lemon Tetra, scientifically known as Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, belongs to the Characins family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 5 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the mid-level zone of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Lemon Tetra requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 22°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Lemon Tetra is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 2 varieties: Standard and Albino. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Lemon Tetra Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Lemon Tetra, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level zone, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat and light plant coverage for partial shade.
Lemon Tetra Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Lemon Tetra is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Who Lemon Tetra Is Actually For
Lemon Tetra is best for a fishkeeper who wants a species that can settle into a calmer community setup and can provide a keeper who can commit to a proper group of at least 6. It makes the most sense for a hobbyist who will actually build around its needs, especially plants.
The most common mistake is buying Lemon Tetra for looks first and only later discovering how its adult size, behavior, or bioload changes the whole tank plan. Another frequent problem is underestimating its social needs. A token pair or trio often behaves very differently from a real group.
Lemon Tetra Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Lemon Tetra.
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
Show 19 more tank sizes
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Tetra
How big does Lemon Tetra get?
Lemon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 5 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Lemon Tetra need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Lemon Tetra. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Lemon Tetra need?
Lemon Tetra thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 22–28°C, a pH between 5.5 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Lemon Tetra peaceful or aggressive?
Lemon Tetra is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Lemon Tetra should be kept together?
Lemon Tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Lemon Tetra have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Lemon Tetra benefits from plants - lighly covered and leaf litter/blackwater in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Useful setup supplies
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Guidarium Editorial Desk
Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.
- Last reviewed
- April 28, 2026
- Last updated
- April 28, 2026
- Issues or corrections?
- Contact the editorial team
Top Tank Mates for Lemon Tetra
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Lemon Tetra based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Spotted Hillstream Loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Ideal Tank MatesTrapdoor Snail
Cipangopaludina chinensis
Ideal Tank MatesSkunk Cory
Corydoras arcuatus
Ideal Tank MatesSan Juan Cory
Corydoras bilineatus
Ideal Tank MatesHillstream Loach
Beaufortia leveretti
Ideal Tank MatesSchwartz's Cory
Corydoras schwartzi
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Lemon Tetra
These plants pair well with Lemon Tetra based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Ashy Pipewort
Eriocaulon cinereum
Baby Tears
Lindernia rotundifolia
Balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Fish Similar to Lemon Tetra
Rosy Finned Tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
A beautiful, deep-bodied tetra known for its reddish-pink hue and striking dorsal fin, which features a prominent black patch and white tip. They are peaceful, active schooling fish that thrive in heavily planted tanks with slightly acidic, soft water. Males frequently engage in harmless mock-battles by flaring their fins to establish hierarchy.
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
A larger, deep-bodied tetra known for its striking metallic blue body and bright red fins. They are very active and can be somewhat boisterous. They are known to occasionally nip fins if kept in groups that are too small or in tanks that lack adequate swimming space.
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
A striking, deep-red schooling fish known for its highly active nature. While hardy and beautiful, Serpae Tetras are notorious fin-nippers. This behavior is usually localized within their own pecking order if kept in large enough schools (8+), but they should never be housed with slow-moving or long-finned tank mates like Bettas, Angelfish, or Gouramis.
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
A peaceful, active schooling fish native to the Paraguay basin. Known for its striking contrast of a dark black lateral stripe underneath a glowing iridescent white/green-gold stripe. Excellent for community aquariums, particularly in planted setups or blackwater biotope tanks with subdued lighting.
Glass Bloodfin Tetra
Prionobrama filigera
A highly active, schooling characin characterized by its translucent body and striking blood-red anal fin. They are peaceful but exceptionally fast-moving, requiring plenty of open horizontal swimming space in the upper levels of the aquarium. They are known to be skilled jumpers, making a tight-fitting lid mandatory.
Green Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
A striking, nano-sized schooling fish native to the blackwater habitats of the upper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins. Distinct from standard Neon Tetras, the Green Neon has a dominant, brilliant blue-green iridescent stripe running the entire length of its body, with little to no red pigmentation. They are extremely peaceful, somewhat timid, and require soft, acidic water with subdued lighting to thrive.