Fish comparison
Keyhole Cichlid vs Neon Tetra
How the Keyhole Cichlid and Neon Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Keyhole Cichlid vs Neon Tetra
The Keyhole Cichlid 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. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. If tank space is tight, the Neon Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Keyhole Cichlid the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
2 notes
Temperature
- Keyhole Cichlid22–28 °C
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
pH
- Keyhole Cichlid6–7.5
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
Hardness
- Keyhole Cichlid5–18 dGH
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
What to plan for
- 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 |  FishKeyhole CichlidCleithracara maronii |  FishNeon TetraParacheirodon innesi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Northern South America (Orinoco, Guianas) | Upper Amazon basin, South America |
| Family | Cichlidae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–26 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–18 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 150 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 10–12 cm | 3.5–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 8–12 yrs | 5–8 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid to bottom | Mid |
| Schooling | Pair | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Adults only | 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 Keyhole Cichlid 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 Keyhole Cichlid or the Neon Tetra?
They sit at the same care level, both beginner-friendly, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Keyhole Cichlid 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 Keyhole Cichlid and the Neon Tetra?
Space. The Keyhole Cichlid wants about 150 litres minimum and the Neon Tetra around 60, so tank size can settle it.