The tetra fish family boasts a vibrant member in the neon tetra, a freshwater fish recognized for its electric blue hue and captivating red markings spanning from belly to tail.
Novice fish enthusiasts frequently opt for neon tetras due to their robustness and minimal care requirements, cementing their position as a popular choice among aquarium hobbyists.
In addition to the classic neon tetra, enthusiasts can explore other varieties, such as black neon tetras and diamond head neon tetras, among others.
| Common name(s) | Neon tetra |
| Binomial name | Paracheirodon innesi |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Size range – lenght | 1 – 1,5 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 70 – 81F pH 6,0 – 7,0 dGH 2 – 10 |
| Tank level | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | 6 – 10 years |
| Breeding | Egg scatterer |
| Tank mates | Mystery snails, shrimp, crabs, barbs, small catfish, gourmis, dawes cichlids, other tetra species |
Origin
Originating from the northern and western Amazon basins, including regions in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, the neon tetra is a stunning freshwater fish.
These areas are well-suited for neon tetras, with acidic waters boasting pH levels as low as 0.4 and clearwater and blackwater streams creating an optimal habitat.
Despite their habitat facing destruction from deforestation and farming, the neon tetra continues to thrive in the wild. To meet demand, over 1.5 million of these captivating fish are imported from fish farms to the U.S. every month.
With a lifespan of up to eight years for both males and females, wild neon tetras can live up to a decade, depending on their habitat and the presence of predators.
Size
Neon tetras are a remarkable species of aquarium fish that are well-known for their small size, growing only up to 1.5 inches in length when they reach adulthood.
Their petite nature makes them an excellent choice for small aquariums or community tanks, where they can thrive alongside other peaceful fish species.
Availability
Neon tetras are a popular choice among aquarium hobbyists in the United States and are readily available both in local pet stores and online. These captivating fish are relatively inexpensive, with an average cost ranging from $3 to $5 per fish.
To ensure that neon tetras thrive in their environment, it is essential to keep them in groups of at least six individuals. This practice creates a more natural social setting and promotes a healthier and more active community of fish.
Therefore, the average total cost of keeping a small school of neon tetras ranges from $18 to $30.
Many online retailers offer neon tetras for purchase, including LiveAquaria and Imperial Tropicals. LiveAquaria provides a wide range of neon tetra variations, including black neon tetras, for purchase.
In contrast, Imperial Tropicals offers neon tetras in various group sizes, ranging from small groups of three to large groups of 50.
Overall, the popularity and accessibility of neon tetras make them an excellent option for beginner and experienced aquarists alike, providing an affordable and visually stunning addition to any aquarium setup.
Appearance and Sex Differences
Neon tetras exhibit a vibrant blue hue accentuated by a thick red line running from their belly to their tail. These fish possess a peaceful temperament and typically do not display aggressive behavior in a tranquil community tank environment.
Colors, Patterns, Fins, and Sex Differences
Neon tetras are recognizable by their brilliant blue heads and backs, featuring a deep blue stripe extending from the eye to the tail and an iridescent red stripe on either side of their narrow, torpedo-shaped bodies. The fish’s fins and tail are compact, pointed, and translucent.
The true wild-form Neon Tetra has a light blue head and back, with an iridescent blue stripe and a red stripe on both sides of their bodies, and shiny silver abdomens. Selective breeding has produced five variants of the Neon Tetra:
– Longfin Neon Tetras have longer fins than the true neon tetras, making it difficult for them to school with each other.
– Diamond Head Neon Tetras have reflective diamond-shaped scales and are best kept in groups of six or more in a tank with taller plants.
– Albino Neon Tetras lack the blue iridescent markings of true neon tetras and have pink or red eyes due to a lack of coloration genes.
– Brilliant White Neon Tetras lack dark gray coloring and have faded colors compared to wild-form neon tetras.
– Gold Neon Tetras have unique gold and opal coloration.
Typically, male neon tetras flaunt more vibrant hues than their female counterparts. Males have a flat belly and straight blue stripes, while females have upward-curved blue stripes that complement their more rounded body shape.
In times of stress, neon tetras exhibit less brilliant coloring, which causes them to appear faded.
When left in the dark, they take on a subdued violet-blue tone. However, when exposed to light, they illuminate in vivid blue-green shades.
Newborn neon tetras begin with a paler appearance compared to adult neon tetras and take several weeks to acquire their signature bold blue coloration.
Behavior
Neon tetras are schooling fish that are peaceful and compatible with other gentle fish of similar size. When under stress or feeling uneasy, neon tetras may exhibit aggressive behavior, such as fin-nipping.
Given their high energy needs, neon tetras are active fish that are most active during the daytime.
They can often be seen darting around their tank, swimming in the middle water column, and taking pleasure in playing and hiding among underwater vegetation.
As neon tetras become more at ease in their surroundings, they are less inclined to hide frequently.
Care
Looking after neon tetras is not a challenging task, and with a few straightforward measures, they can remain healthy and thrive in captivity.
Neon tetras are generally robust fish that can survive in a range of conditions, including brackish water and clear freshwater environments.
Nevertheless, it is recommended that you provide them with clean freshwater and an adequately maintained tank, including regular water changes and filtration, to keep them healthy.
Neon tetras are omnivores, and their diet in the wild is diverse, consisting of both plant and animal matter.
Therefore, replicating their diet in your home aquarium is essential for their overall health and well-being. You can provide them with a balanced diet that includes a mixture of high-quality flake food, frozen or live foods.
They are schooling fish and need to be kept in groups of at least six to eight individuals. The tank should have enough swimming space, hiding spots, and underwater vegetation to provide them with a sense of security and comfort.
Proper lighting and a regular day-night cycle will also help them maintain a healthy biological clock.
Tank Requirements
Neon tetras are natural inhabitants of tropical flowing waters that are rich in vegetation, and it’s essential to replicate this environment in the tank. To provide a comfortable living space for your neon tetras, you should include dense vegetation, including floating plants and roots.
To create the perfect habitat for your neon tetras, you can add a variety of low-light hiding places.
For instance, you can use floating plants like hornwort and Java moss to create shady, secluded hideaways that neon tetras will love.
Additionally, driftwood can be used to provide further hiding places for the fish.
While neon tetras don’t spend much time digging in the substrate, the choice of substrate can still impact their well-being.
Although it’s not as critical as it is for bottom-dwelling fish, a dark substrate such as black sand will make your neon tetra feel at home and will showcase the fish’s beautiful neon coloring.
Another factor to consider is the lighting in the aquarium. You can mimic the neon tetra’s low-light, wild habitat by darkening three sides of the aquarium’s glass. Doing so will create a cozy environment that is similar to the neon tetra’s natural habitat.
To ensure your neon tetras thrive in your aquarium, it’s important to replicate their ideal tank conditions. Neon tetras are hardy fish that can adapt to different water environments, but a clean freshwater tank setup with specific conditions will help keep them healthy and happy.
Neon tetras prefer a hard, freshwater environment with a pH range of 6.0-7.0 and a water hardness of 2-10 dkH. The ideal water temperature for neon tetras is between 70-81°F.
The aquarium should be at least 10 gallons in size, with an additional gallon of water for each additional fish. It’s important to ensure a consistent tropical water temperature with a water heater.
For substrate, neon tetras don’t spend much time digging, so sand, rocks, and pebbles are suitable choices. Neon tetras enjoy a tank setup that includes floating plants and caves, as this replicates their natural habitat.
Adding plants like hornwort and Java moss create shaded and secluded hideaways for the fish. Driftwood can also be used to provide hiding places.
Filters can be helpful for neon tetras as they aerate the water and reduce the risk of disease, but they are not necessary since neon tetras can survive without them.
However, it’s important to note that a fully-mature tank is necessary for neon tetras. They don’t tolerate changes to the water chemistry, so it’s recommended to add them to a mature tank to ensure they thrive.
Lastly, neon tetras prefer a dark environment, so lighting isn’t necessary. However, darkening three sides of the aquarium’s glass can mimic their low-light, wild habitat. While a bubbler isn’t necessary if you have enough plants and a filter, it can provide additional aeration for the tank.
Diseases
Like any other living organism, Neon tetra are prone to illnesses that can lead to their untimely death. Inadequate living conditions can lead to several common aquarium diseases in neon tetras, including neon tetra disease, ich, and fin and tail rot.
Neon Tetra Disease
Neon tetra disease is a viral infection that is caused by the parasite Pleistophora hyphessobryconis. It is a highly contagious disease that spreads rapidly throughout the aquarium.
Symptoms of neon tetra disease include a loss of color, a lack of appetite, and a curved spine. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for neon tetra disease, and infected fish should be immediately removed from the tank to prevent further contamination.
To prevent neon tetra disease from spreading, it is essential to maintain a clean and well-filtered aquarium. Regular water changes and the removal of uneaten food and debris from the tank can also help to prevent the spread of this disease.
Ich
Ich, also known as white spot disease, is caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. The parasite attaches itself to the fish’s skin, causing the formation of white spots. Other symptoms of ich include a loss of appetite, lethargy, and rapid breathing. If left untreated, ich can be fatal to neon tetras.
To treat ich, it is recommended to raise the temperature of the aquarium to around 86°F for several days. This will speed up the life cycle of the parasite, causing it to detach from the fish’s skin and die.
In severe cases, medication may also be necessary. To prevent ich, it is crucial to quarantine any new fish before introducing them to the main aquarium and maintain good water quality.
Fin and Tail Rot
Fin and tail rot is a bacterial infection that affects the fins and tail of neon tetras. The infection is caused by poor water quality, high levels of ammonia, or stress. Symptoms of fin and tail rot include frayed or discolored fins, and in severe cases, the fins and tail may begin to rot away.
To treat fin and tail rot, it is essential to maintain good water quality by performing regular water changes and maintaining a well-filtered aquarium. Adding aquarium salt or medication may also be necessary.
To prevent fin and tail rot, it is crucial to keep the aquarium clean and maintain proper water parameters.
Tank Mates
Neon tetras are an excellent choice for peaceful community aquariums due to their docile nature. They can easily coexist with a wide range of fish species, especially those that are of similar size and temperament.
If you’re looking to add some tank mates to your neon tetras, consider small and non-aggressive fish that dwell at the bottom of the tank.
Good options include barbs, cory catfish, honey gouramis, dawes cichlids, and other tetra species such as candy cane tetras.
On the other hand, if you prefer to add some invertebrates to your tank, neon tetras can live harmoniously with mystery snails, ghost shrimp, and crabs.
Remember that neon tetras are a schooling fish and thrive in groups of six or more. Therefore, ensure that you house them in a school before introducing any other fish to the tank.
By following these guidelines, you can create a thriving aquarium community with your neon tetras.
Diet
In their natural habitat, neon tetras are classified as omnivores, consuming a diverse mix of meat and plant matter. They have been known to feast on insect larvae, small insects, algae, and other types of vegetation, depending on the food sources available.
To ensure that your neon tetras receive a well-balanced diet, you should mimic their natural feeding habits by offering them a mix of plant- and animal-based foods. High-quality fish flakes, rich in vitamins and minerals, should be provided as the main food source for your neon tetras.
Every few days, supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex, and brine shrimp, which should be chopped into small pieces to avoid choking hazards.
It’s also crucial to incorporate plant foods into your neon tetra’s diet. You can feed them a variety of plant-based foods, including algae wafers, grapes, cucumbers, and strawberries, up to three times a week.
Once your neon tetras reach six months of age, you should feed them twice a day. Offer enough food for them to consume within two minutes, then dispose of any leftover food to preserve good water quality. Overfeeding can lead to health issues, so stick to a strict feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding your neon tetras.
Breeding
Breeding neon tetras in a home aquarium can be a challenging task due to the specific water conditions required to trigger mating. It is more likely to be successful for experienced aquarists than beginners.
To successfully breed neon tetras in a home aquarium, follow these steps:
- Choose a healthy male and female neon tetra that are at least 12 weeks old and ready for breeding.
- In the evening, place the tetras in a separate breeding tank with a pH level between 5.0 and 6.0 and reduced water temperature of 75°F. Place a filter in the tank and position it in a low-light location.
- Allow the tetras to remain in the breeding tank for up to two days. If there is no sign of breeding, adjust the water temperature, pH level, and water softness to mimic the natural conditions in the wild during the rainfall season.
- If the tetras still do not breed after two days, add a significant amount of soft water to the tank.
- If the breeding is still unsuccessful, replace the female with another female and continue to adjust the tank conditions.
- If successful, the male and female will spawn behind a plant or in a cave, and the female will scatter up to 130 translucent eggs across the substrate and plants in the tank.
- As soon as the eggs are spotted, remove the parents from the tank to prevent them from consuming the offspring.
- Approximately 24 hours later, up to 50 of the eggs will hatch.
- The baby neon tetras are light-sensitive, so it is recommended to keep the tank dark for their first five days.
- The newborns will feed on their egg sacs for the first three days of their lives.
- After the first three days, feed the baby fish special fry food and baby brine shrimp for the next three months.
- Once they reach three months old, transfer the baby neon tetras to the home tank with the adult fish.
Remember that breeding neon tetras can be a challenging process, but with patience and attention to detail, you can successfully hatch and raise these fascinating fish in your home aquarium.
In conclusion
Neon tetras are known for their peaceful nature and durability, making them an ideal choice for aquarium hobbyists of all levels. I recommended to add a school of at least six neon tetras to your freshwater tank if you have adequate space.
However, if your tank contains larger or more aggressive fish, it’s best to avoid adding neon tetras to that community.
Instead, create a separate tank exclusively for neon tetras to ensure their safety and wellbeing. As long as you provide the appropriate water conditions and a peaceful environment, neon tetras will flourish in your home aquarium.Neon tetra
