Fish comparison
Marbled Hatchetfish vs Neon Tetra
How the Marbled Hatchetfish and Neon Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Marbled Hatchetfish vs Neon Tetra
The Marbled Hatchetfish 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 24 to 26 °C and pH 5.5 to 6.5, 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 Marbled Hatchetfish rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Neon Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Marbled Hatchetfish 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
- Marbled Hatchetfish24–28 °C
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
pH
- Marbled Hatchetfish5–6.5
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
Hardness
- Marbled Hatchetfish1–8 dGH
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
What to plan for
- Marbled Hatchetfish schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 marbled hatchetfish. Marbled Hatchetfish 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.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishMarbled HatchetfishCarnegiella strigata |  FishNeon TetraParacheirodon innesi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Amazon basin, Peru & Brazil | Upper Amazon basin, South America |
| Family | Gasteropelecidae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 24–28 °C | 20–26 °C |
| pH | 5.0–6.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–8 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Still to Low | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 75 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 3.5–4.5 cm | 3.5–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–5 yrs | 5–8 yrs |
| Diet | Micropredator (insectivore) | Omnivore |
| Water column | Top (strictly surface) | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes | 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 Marbled Hatchetfish and Neon Tetra together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 24 to 26 °C and pH 5.5 to 6.5, 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 Marbled Hatchetfish or the Neon Tetra?
The Neon Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Marbled Hatchetfish leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Marbled Hatchetfish and Neon Tetra need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 24 to 26 °C and pH 5.5 to 6.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Marbled Hatchetfish and the Neon Tetra?
Space. The Marbled Hatchetfish wants about 75 litres minimum and the Neon Tetra around 60, so tank size can settle it.