Fish comparison
Neon Tetra vs Silver Tip Tetra
How the Neon Tetra and Silver Tip Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Neon Tetra vs Silver Tip Tetra
The Neon Tetra and the Silver Tip 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 Silver Tip Tetra is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Neon Tetra rewards a bit more attention. For a calm community the gentler Neon Tetra slots in more easily.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Neon Tetra20–26 °C
- Silver Tip Tetra22–28 °C
pH
- Neon Tetra5.5–7
- Silver Tip Tetra6–8
Hardness
- Neon Tetra1–8 dGH
- Silver Tip Tetra3–18 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.
- Silver Tip Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 silver tip tetra. Silver Tip Tetra need a group of at least 8 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.
- 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 |  FishSilver Tip TetraHasemania nana |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Upper Amazon basin, South America | São Francisco basin, Brazil |
| Family | Characidae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 20–26 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–8 | 3–18 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 60 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 3.5–4 cm | 3–4 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 5–8 yrs | 3–5 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid to Top |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (with adults; may eat shrimplets) | Mostly (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 Neon Tetra and Silver Tip 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 Neon Tetra or the Silver Tip Tetra?
The Silver Tip Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Neon Tetra leans beginner-friendly.
Do Neon Tetra and Silver Tip 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 Neon Tetra and the Silver Tip Tetra?
Temperament is the big one. The Neon Tetra is peaceful and the Silver Tip Tetra is semi-aggressive, which changes who you can house them with.