Here is a complete and detailed profile of the Lemon Tetra, a colorful and peaceful freshwater aquarium fish ideal for planted community tanks: 🐟 Lemon Tetra – Full Details &...
Here is a complete and detailed profile of the Lemon Tetra, a colorful and peaceful freshwater aquarium fish ideal for planted community tanks:
Lemon Tetra
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis |
| Family | Characidae |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Origin | South America – Amazon Basin (Brazil) |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Translucent yellowish body with lemon-yellow hue, silvery shine, red or orange eyes, and black & yellow accents on the dorsal and anal fins |
| Size | Up to 1.5 – 2 inches (4 – 5 cm) |
| Lifespan | 5 – 8 years in optimal care |
| Sexing | Males are slimmer with darker fin markings; females are fuller-bodied |
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F) |
| pH Level | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Hardness | 2 – 15 dGH |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | Minimum 15–20 gallons |
| School Size | At least 6 (larger group recommended) |
| Substrate | Fine gravel or sand |
| Aquascaping | Dense plants, open swimming space, driftwood |
| Lighting | Moderate |
| Filtration | Gentle current, clean water preferred |
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful and active |
| Swimming Level | Middle layers of the tank |
| Social Nature | Schooling fish; becomes stressed alone |
| Activity | Active, interactive when in a group |
| ✅ Compatible Tankmates | ❌ Avoid |
|---|---|
| Tetras (Neon, Rummy Nose, etc.) | Large or aggressive fish |
| Corydoras catfish | Fin-nippers |
| Guppies, Mollies | Betta fish (with caution) |
| Dwarf Gouramis, Rasboras | |
| Shrimp (Amano, Cherry) |
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Flakes | Tropical flakes, color-enhancing flakes |
| Pellets | Micro pellets |
| Live/Frozen | Brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia |
| Vegetables | Blanched spinach, zucchini occasionally |
Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times a day in small amounts
Avoid overfeeding to maintain water quality
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Spawning Type | Egg scatterers |
| Breeding Setup | Separate tank, soft acidic water (pH ~6), 26–27°C, fine-leaved plants or spawning mop |
| Spawning Behavior | Occurs in early morning; males chase females |
| Parental Care | None – adults may eat eggs, so remove them post-spawning |
| Egg Hatch Time | 24 – 36 hours |
| Fry Feeding | Infusoria → baby brine shrimp → crushed flakes |
✔️ Keep in groups of at least 6–8 to reduce stress
✔️ Do regular water changes (25–30% weekly)
✔️ Offer a varied diet for better color and immunity
✔️ Use plants and driftwood to mimic natural habitat
✔️ Monitor water parameters consistently
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis |
| Common Name | Lemon Tetra |
| Size | 1.5 – 2 inches |
| Lifespan | 5 – 8 years |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Best Kept In | Schools of 6 or more |
| Tank Level | Middle |
When kept in a large group with clean water and live plants, Lemon Tetras display intense yellow coloration and social schooling behavior, making them a beautiful, peaceful centerpiece for community aquariums.
Little Mermaid uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
Anubias Nana Gold
Someone recently boughtfromChennai33 minutes ago
Yellow Widow Tetra
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata20 minutes ago
Neon Tetra
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata30 minutes ago
Red Parrot Fish 6cm
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata45 minutes ago
Yellow apple Snail 3cm
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata1 hour ago
KENKO Bio Tropical Micro Bits...
Someone recently boughtfromNagpur10 minutes ago