Lemon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Also known as Lemon
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A very peaceful, softly yellow tetra with a splash of black and lemon in its fins. In a good-sized school the males spar and show their best color. It is a hardy choice for a planted community, and looks its best over dark sand with driftwood.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 31 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–82 °F
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 or more
- Lifespan
- 5–6 years
Lemon Tetra tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Trichopodus leerii
Trichopsis pumila
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Lemon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Crossocheilus oblongus
Siamese Algae Eater is much larger than Lemon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Lemon Tetra.
Pseudomugil furcatus
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Lemon Tetra is a poor match.
Lemon Tetra feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes or small pellets as a staple.
- Add frozen daphnia, brine shrimp or bloodworm a few times a week.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Adult males tend to be slimmer, slightly smaller and more intensely colored than females.
Lemon Tetra care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep a real school. The males need rivals to show their finest color and behavior.
- Skip large or nippy fish, which will spoil its fins and its confidence.
- Avoid a pale, bare tank. Dark decor makes its yellow tones far stronger.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Lemon Tetra tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 19 US gal (72 L), 80 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Lemon Tetra. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Lemon Tetra, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Lemon Tetra's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Lemon Tetra yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 68–82 °F (20–28 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateNo special substrate is required; sand with driftwood is suggested for a natural look.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorDriftwood roots, dried leaves or a heavily planted tank are suggested.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Lemon Tetra
We have not found a store that sells Lemon Tetra under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Lemon Tetra FAQ
What size tank do Lemon Tetras need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (72 liters), with a footprint of 80 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Lemon Tetras should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Lemon Tetras?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Honey Gourami. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Swordtail.
How long do Lemon Tetras live?
Care guides report about 5–6 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why does my lemon tetra look pale?
Lemons often look washed out in shops and bright tanks. Dark decor, floating plants and better food usually bring the color back within weeks.
Lemon Tetra facts and sources
- Family
- Characidae
- Native to
- Tapajós River basin, Brazil
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.