Fish comparison
Neon Tetra vs Pictus Catfish
How the Neon Tetra and Pictus Catfish compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Neon Tetra vs Pictus Catfish
The Neon Tetra and the Pictus Catfish 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 23 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 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 Pictus Catfish 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
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
- Pictus Catfish23–28 °C
pH
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
- Pictus Catfish6.5–7.8
Hardness
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
- Pictus Catfish5–15 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.
- Pictus Catfish schools, stock at least 3You've planned for 1 pictus catfish. Pictus Catfish need a group of at least 3 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 |  FishNeon TetraParacheirodon innesi |  FishPictus CatfishPimelodus pictus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Upper Amazon basin, South America | Orinoco and Amazon basins |
| Family | Characidae | Pimelodidae |
| Temperature | 20–26 °C | 23–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.8 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–8 | 5–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Medium to high |
| Min tank | 60 L | 200 L |
| Adult size | 3.5–4 cm | 13–15 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 5–8 yrs | 8–10 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore (carnivore-leaning) |
| Water column | Mid | Bottom to mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (with adults; may eat shrimplets) | No (will eat shrimp) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Neon Tetra and Pictus Catfish together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 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 Neon Tetra or the Pictus Catfish?
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 Neon Tetra and Pictus Catfish need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 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 Neon Tetra and the Pictus Catfish?
Space. The Neon Tetra wants about 60 litres minimum and the Pictus Catfish around 200, so tank size can settle it.