Fish comparison
Neon Tetra vs Scarlet Badis
How the Neon Tetra and Scarlet Badis compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Neon Tetra vs Scarlet Badis
The Neon Tetra and the Scarlet Badis 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 20 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 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 Scarlet Badis rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Scarlet Badis needs less room to feel settled; give the Neon Tetra 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
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
- Scarlet Badis20–26 °C
pH
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
- Scarlet Badis6.5–7.5
Hardness
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
- Scarlet Badis5–15 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.
- 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 |  FishScarlet BadisDario dario |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Upper Amazon basin, South America | West Bengal and Assam, India |
| Family | Characidae | Badidae |
| Temperature | 20–26 °C | 20–26 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–8 | 5–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Still to Low |
| Min tank | 60 L | 30 L |
| Adult size | 3.5–4 cm | 1.5–2 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 5–8 yrs | 3–4 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Micropredator |
| Water column | Mid | Mid to Bottom |
| Schooling | Yes | Harem (1 male, 3+ females) |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (with adults; may eat shrimplets) | No (eats shrimplets; risky with adult Neocaridina too) |
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 Scarlet Badis together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 20 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 Scarlet Badis?
The Neon Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Scarlet Badis leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Neon Tetra and Scarlet Badis need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 20 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 Scarlet Badis?
Space. The Neon Tetra wants about 60 litres minimum and the Scarlet Badis around 30, so tank size can settle it.