Fish comparison
Clown Loach vs Neon Tetra
How the Clown Loach and Neon Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Clown Loach vs Neon Tetra
The Clown Loach and the Neon Tetra come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 25 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7, so a single tank can suit either one. The Neon Tetra is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Clown Loach rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Neon Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Clown Loach the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
3 notes
Temperature
- Clown Loach25–30 °C
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
pH
- Clown Loach6–7.5
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
Hardness
- Clown Loach5–15 dGH
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
What to plan for
- Clown Loach schools, stock at least 5You've planned for 1 clown loach. Clown Loach need a group of at least 5 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Neon Tetra schools, stock at least 10You've planned for 1 neon tetra. Neon Tetra need a group of at least 10 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- 67% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishClown LoachChromobotia macracanthus |  FishNeon TetraParacheirodon innesi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Sumatra and Borneo | Upper Amazon basin, South America |
| Family | Botiidae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 25–30 °C | 20–26 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–15 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Medium to high | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 450 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 20–30 cm | 3.5–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 20–25 yrs | 5–8 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore (loves snails) | Omnivore |
| Water column | Bottom to mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | No | Yes (with adults; may eat shrimplets) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Clown Loach and Neon Tetra together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 25 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Clown Loach or the Neon Tetra?
The Neon Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Clown Loach leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Clown Loach and Neon Tetra need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 25 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Clown Loach and the Neon Tetra?
Space. The Clown Loach wants about 450 litres minimum and the Neon Tetra around 60, so tank size can settle it.