Can Molly Live With Neon Tetra?
No, mollies and neon tetras have incompatible water preferences, with mollies needing hard alkaline water and neons preferring soft acidic conditions.
Why
- Mollies require hard, alkaline water with a pH of 7.5-8.5, while neon tetras thrive in soft, acidic water between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Many molly keepers add aquarium salt to their tanks, which neon tetras cannot tolerate at all.
- Mollies reach 4-5 inches and are boisterous swimmers that can outcompete neons for food and stress them with their activity level.
- Neon tetras are schooling fish that need groups of 10+, and a tank that satisfies mollies will leave neons in suboptimal conditions long-term.
What could go wrong
The neons slowly fade in color, stop schooling normally, and develop health problems from the alkaline water that mollies prefer.
If you keep them in separate tanks
Sized for the 20 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
AquaClear 30 Power Filter
Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 20 gallon minimum.
Eheim Jager 150W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 72-81°F window both species need.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.
Better pairings to consider
Mollies do well with platies or swordtails instead. Neon tetras do well with cardinal tetras or ember tetras instead.
Related compatibility questions
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