What tank size does a Lemon Tetra need?

A Lemon Tetra needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Lemon Tetra need?

Lemon Tetra does best at 20–28 °C (68–82.4 °F), pH 5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 °dGH.

What group size does a Lemon Tetra need?

Lemon Tetra is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Lemon Tetra suitable for beginners?

Yes — Lemon Tetra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Characidae

FishDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: well-established

📷 Waugsberg · CC BY 2.5 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Lemon Tetra — Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis — 📷 Waugsberg · CC BY 2.5 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The lemon tetra is a deep-bodied, diamond-shaped characin from the clearwater tributaries of the Tapajos basin in Brazil. Its translucent lemon-yellow flanks, striking red upper eye and black-and-yellow fin edging make it a subtly beautiful shoaler that colours up best in a mature, well-planted tank kept in a decent-sized group.

Care

Keep in a shoal of 6+ (ideally 10 or more) in soft to medium, slightly acidic water with gentle flow and plenty of planting. A larger group suppresses the mild fin-flaring squabbles males have.

Diet

Undemanding micro-omnivore that grazes small invertebrates and organic matter; feed a varied diet of dry foods plus frequent frozen or live micro-foods to bring out the yellow colouration.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.

All the methods, with diagrams

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Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Lemon Tetra need?: A Lemon Tetra needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Lemon Tetra need?: Lemon Tetra does best at 20–28 °C (68–82.4 °F), pH 5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 °dGH.
What group size does a Lemon Tetra need?: Lemon Tetra is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Lemon Tetra suitable for beginners?: Yes — Lemon Tetra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature20–28°C

Optimal temp.23–26°C

pH5–7.5

Hardness (GH)2–15°d

Carbonate (KH)0–8°d

Adult size4.5 cm

Min. volume≥ 75 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Group size≥ 6

Swimming zoneMid

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~6 yrs

Try in the calculator