Lemon tetra size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 4.5 cm. Record sizes among the 30 Hyphessobrycon species on LumaReef: 1.9 cm (Yellow Phantom Tetra) to 13.2 cm (Buenos Aires Tetra).

Lemon tetra tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Lemon tetra water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, hardness 1–12 °dGH. Close to what most Hyphessobrycon on LumaReef need (20–28 °C).

Lemon tetra tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 80 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Cardinal tetra, Penguin tetra, and Harlequin rasbora.

FreshwaterIn the market70 coinsCommon

Lemon tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Males flare their fins at each other and nobody ever gets hurt.

The Lemon tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhamphidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 4.5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 80 cm long and water at 23–28 °C.

Size: 4.5 cm
Smallest tank: 80 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature23–28 °C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness1–12 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 8 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres60 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres100 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres216 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres400 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres480 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along80 species

and 56 more species

Caution10 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCharaciformes
FamilyAcestrorhamphidae
GenusHyphessobrycon
SpeciesHyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Described byAhl, 1937

In other languages

German: Zitronensalmler
Russian: Лимонная тетра

Quick answers

Lemon tetra size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 4.5 cm. Record sizes among the 30 Hyphessobrycon species on LumaReef: 1.9 cm (Yellow Phantom Tetra) to 13.2 cm (Buenos Aires Tetra).
Lemon tetra tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Lemon tetra water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, hardness 1–12 °dGH. Close to what most Hyphessobrycon on LumaReef need (20–28 °C).
Lemon tetra tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 80 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Cardinal tetra, Penguin tetra, and Harlequin rasbora.
Lemon tetra: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 8 together.
Lemon tetra and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.