Fish comparison
Glass Catfish vs Neon Tetra
How the Glass Catfish and Neon Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Glass Catfish vs Neon Tetra
The Glass Catfish 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 22 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 Glass Catfish rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Neon Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Glass Catfish the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Glass Catfish22–26 °C
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
pH
- Glass Catfish6–7.5
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
Hardness
- Glass Catfish2–15 dGH
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
What to plan for
- Glass Catfish schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 glass catfish. Glass Catfish need a group of at least 6 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.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 100% 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 |  FishGlass CatfishKryptopterus vitreolus |  FishNeon TetraParacheirodon innesi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Thailand, southern Mekong basin | Upper Amazon basin, South America |
| Family | Siluridae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 22–26 °C | 20–26 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 100 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 6–8 cm | 3.5–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 5–8 yrs | 5–8 yrs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Adults only (may eat shrimplets) | 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 Glass Catfish and Neon Tetra together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 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 Glass Catfish or the Neon Tetra?
The Neon Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Glass Catfish leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Glass Catfish and Neon Tetra need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 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 Glass Catfish and the Neon Tetra?
Space. The Glass Catfish wants about 100 litres minimum and the Neon Tetra around 60, so tank size can settle it.