Can Guppy Live With Neon Tetra?(2024)

Are you thinking about adding guppies and neon tetras to your aquarium? You might wonder if they can live together. Both are small and colorful fish that many people love. But will they get along in the same tank? Let’s find out if guppies and neon tetra s can be happy tankmates.

Yes, guppies can live with neon tetras. Both fish are peaceful and friendly. They like similar water conditions. Make sure the tank has enough space and hiding spots. This helps them feel safe and happy.

Can Guppy Live With Neon Tetra?

Guppies and neon tetras are popular fish for home aquariums. They are both colorful and peaceful, making them great choices for a community tank. But can they live together? Let’s find out.

Understanding Guppies

Guppies are small and colorful fish that are popular in home aquariums due to their vibrant colors and lively behavior. They are easy to care for and are known for being livebearers, meaning they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Guppies thrive in warm water and prefer a tank with plenty of plants and hiding spots. Their friendly nature makes them great companions for other peaceful fish.

Guppy Needs

Tank Size: Guppies need at least a 10-gallon tank.
Water Conditions: They prefer warm water between 72-82°F (22-28°C) and a pH level of 6.8-7.8.
Diet: Guppies eat flakes, pellets, and occasionally live or frozen food.

Understanding Neon Tetras

Neon tetras are small and colorful fish with bright blue and red stripes. They are peaceful and like to swim in groups making them great for community tanks. Neon tetras do best in water that is slightly acidic and love having plants and places to hide in their tank. Their calm nature and beautiful colors make them popular with fish keepers.

Neon Tetra Needs

Tank Size: Neon tetras need at least a 10-gallon tank.
Water Conditions: They prefer water temperatures between 70-81°F (21-27°C) and a pH level of 6.0-7.0.
Diet: Neon tetras eat flakes, pellets and sometimes live or frozen food.

Related reading: Can Guppy Live With Betta In Same Tank?

Can Guppies and Neon Tetras Live Together?

Guppies and neon tetras can live together if their tank conditions are right. Here’s what you need to know:

Tank Size: A 20-gallon tank or larger is best for keeping both species together.
Water Temperature: Keep the temperature around 74-78°F (23-26°C), which suits both fish.
pH Level: Maintain a pH level of 7.0, which is a good middle ground.

Setting Up the Tank

Plants: Add live or artificial plants for hiding spots and to mimic their natural habitat.
Hiding Places: Include rocks, driftwood and decorations to provide shelter.

Water Quality

Filtration: Use a good filter to keep the water clean.
Regular Maintenance: Change 25% of the water every week to keep the tank healthy.

Feeding Your Fish

Feed both guppies and neon tetras a balanced diet of high-quality flakes or pellets. Occasionally, you can add live or frozen food like brine shrimp or bloodworms for variety.

Feeding Schedule

Feed your fish small portions 2-3 times a day.Make sure they eat all the food within a few minutes to avoid overfeeding.

Monitoring Fish Health

Behavior: Watch for any changes in behavior. Healthy fish are active and swim freely.
Appearance: Look out for signs of illness like spots, discoloration, or damaged fins.

Quarantine New Fish

Before adding new fish to your tank, keep them in a separate quarantine tank for a few weeks. This helps prevent the spread of diseases.

How Do I Set Up a Tank for Neon Tetras and Guppies?

Setting up a tank for neon tetras and guppies can be fun and rewarding. Both fish are colorful and peaceful, making them perfect for a community tank. Here’s how you can set up their home.

Choose a tank that is at least 20 gallons.This gives your fish plenty of space to swim and be happy.
Rinse the tank with water. Do not use soap because it can harm the fish.
Cover the bottom of the tank with gravel or sand. This is where the plants will grow and where the fish can explore.
Add live or fake plants to the tank. Plants give the fish places to hide and feel safe.
Include decorations like rocks and driftwood to make the tank look nice and provide more hiding spots.
Fill the tank with water that is treated to remove chlorine. Use a water conditioner to make the water safe for fish.
Use a heater to keep the water temperature between 74-78°F (23-26°C). Both neon tetras and guppies like warm water.
Install a filter to keep the water clean and clear. The filter removes waste and helps keep the fish healthy.
Use an air pump to oxygenate the water. This helps the fish breathe better.
Let the tank run with the filter and heater for at least one week before adding the fish. This process is called cycling and it helps create a healthy environment.
After the tank is ready, you can add your fish. Introduce a few fish at a time to avoid stressing them out.
Float the fish in their bag on the water’s surface for about 15 minutes. This helps them get used to the water temperature.
Gently release the fish into the tank.
Feed the fish high-quality flakes or pellets. Both neon tetras and guppies enjoy these foods.
Occasionally, give them live or frozen food like brine shrimp for a treat.
Feed small amounts 2-3 times a day. Only give them what they can eat in a few minutes to avoid overfeeding.
Change 25% of the water every week to keep it clean.
Regularly check the filter and clean it as needed.
Monitor the water temperature and pH level to ensure they stay within the right range.

Can Guppies and Tetras Breed?

Guppies and tetras can live together peacefully in the same tank but they cannot breed with each other. This is because they are different kinds of fish with different ways of having babies. Guppies give birth to live babies, while tetras lay eggs. Even though they can be friends and swim together, their differences mean they can’t make babies together. If you want to breed guppies or tetras, you need to set up separate tanks for each type and follow the right steps for their breeding needs.

Can Guppies and Tetras Eat the Same Food?

Yes, guppies and tetras can eat the same food. Both types of fish enjoy a diet that includes high-quality flakes or pellets. These foods supply the essential nutrients needed for their health. In addition to flakes and pellets, you can occasionally give them live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms as a treat. Just make sure the food is small enough for their mouths and that you don’t overfeed them. Feeding them small amounts 2-3 times a day is usually best.

Guppy vs. Neon Tetra: Diet

Guppy Diet

Flakes and Pellets: Guppies thrive on high-quality flakes or pellets that are specially formulated for tropical fish. These provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients.
Live/Frozen Food: Occasionally, guppies enjoy live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. These treats can help enhance their color and provide variety.
Vegetables: Guppies also benefit from plant-based foods. You can offer them small pieces of blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini.

Neon Tetra Diet

Flakes and Pellets: Neon tetras also do well on high-quality flakes or pellets designed for small tropical fish. These foods ensure they get the right balance of nutrients.
Live/Frozen Food: Similar to guppies, neon tetras enjoy live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. These foods can help keep them healthy and vibrant.
Micro Worms and Insects: Neon tetras can also eat small worms and insect larvae, which mimic their natural diet in the wild.

Feeding Tips for Both

Frequency: Feed small amounts 2-3 times a day. Only give them what they can eat in a few minutes to avoid overfeeding.
Variety: Offering a mix of flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods ensures a balanced diet and keeps the fish interested in their meals.
Size of Food: Ensure the food is appropriately sized for their small mouths to make it easy for them to eat.

By providing a varied and balanced diet both guppies and neon tetras can thrive and display their beautiful colors in your aquarium.

Conclusion

Guppies and neon tetras can live together happily in the same tank if you take care of their needs. Both fish like warm water and similar conditions. By giving them a good-sized tank, the right water conditions and a balanced diet, you can create a happy home for both. With proper care and regular maintenance, you can enjoy watching these colorful and active fish swim together in your aquarium.