Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Also known as: Lemon

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 23–28°C
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Hardness (GH): 36–179 ppm (2–10 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A long-established and quietly lovely community tetra, the lemon is a translucent, pale-gold fish lit by a flash of black and red over the eye and along the fins, understated in a shop tank but glowing in a mature school under good light. It is hardy, peaceful, and undemanding, asking only for soft to moderately-hard water, a planted tank, and the security of a group, which makes it a reliable and slightly different choice among the usual community tetras. Males develop deeper colour and bolder black fin edges when competing, so a group with several males kept well-fed shows the species at its best. An easy, gentle schooler for a peaceful planted community.

Tankmates

A peaceful schooling tetra best kept in a group of at least six, ideally more, in which the males deepen to a richer lemon-yellow and display with black-edged anal fins. In groups too small it can show a mild fin-nipping tendency, so keep the numbers up. Safe with most peaceful community fish of similar size, with corydoras and otocinclus below, and with adult shrimp, though it may take the smallest shrimplets. Avoid fin-nippers, boisterous fish, and anything large enough to eat it. A planted tank with subdued light and a darker substrate brings out the colour.

Compatible with

• Neon Tetra
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Bronze Corydoras
• Ember Tetra
• Glowlight Tetra
• Otocinclus
• Cherry Shrimp
• Honey Gourami

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Angelfish
• Large Cichlids
• Fin Nippers
• Tiger Barb

Common Problems

• pale colour in small groups or bright, bare tanks
• mild fin nipping when under-grouped
• ich
• stress from boisterous tankmates

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20