Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a small, brightly coloured fish that grows up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length. Its body is a deep blue-green colour on top and a bright red colour on the bottom. A thin, iridescent blue stripe runs along the side of the body from the nose to the base of the tail. The fins are transparent, with the dorsal fin extending about halfway down the body.
Natural Habitat:
Neon Tetras are native to the blackwater streams and tributaries of the Amazon Basin in South America. They live in slow-moving water with a lot of vegetation and tree cover, which creates shaded areas. The water is typically acidic, with a pH range of 5.0 to 7.0 and a temperature range of 72-78°F (22-26°C). In the wild, they feed on small invertebrates and insect larvae.
Keeping Neon Tetras Healthy: Care Level and Difficulty:
Neon Tetras are a popular choice for aquarium hobbyists due to their bright colours and peaceful demeanour. They have a moderate care level, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists. However, they are a bit delicate and can be sensitive to changes in water conditions, so they require careful attention to water quality and temperature.
Special Requirements and Feeding;
Neon Tetras require a well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding places. They prefer soft, slightly acidic water with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. It’s important to maintain stable water conditions, and frequent water changes should be performed to keep the water clean and healthy. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including flakes, frozen or live brine shrimp, and small insect larvae.
How many Neon Tetras should I keep:
The number of Neon Tetras you should keep depends on the size of your aquarium. It is generally recommended to keep a minimum of 6 Neon Tetras together, as they are social fish and prefer to live in groups. However, a larger group of 10 or more Neon Tetras can create a more striking visual effect in your aquarium.
Keep in mind that even though Neon Tetras are small, they still produce waste, so you need to ensure that your aquarium is large enough to accommodate the number of fish you intend to keep. As a general rule, you should have at least 1 gallon of water for every inch of fish in your aquarium.
In addition to the size of your aquarium, you should also consider the compatibility of other fish species in the tank. Neon Tetras are peaceful and should be kept with other peaceful fish that are not aggressive or likely to nip at their fins.
Lighting Preference:
The Neon Tetra prefer dimly lit environments, as they are used to shaded areas in their natural habitat. Avoid bright, direct lighting, and instead opt for low to moderate light levels in the aquarium.
Suitable Tank Mates:
Neon Tetras are peaceful and do well in community aquariums with other non-aggressive fish of similar size and temperament. Good tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras catfish.
Breeding Neon Tetras:
Breeding Neon Tetras can be a rewarding experience, but it requires some effort and preparation. Here are some detailed steps to breed Neon Tetras successfully:
- Separating sexes: Before breeding Neon Tetras, you must first separate the males from the females. You can do this by looking at the shape of their bodies and observing their behaviour. Males are usually slimmer and smaller, while females are rounder and larger. Additionally, males tend to have brighter colours and longer fins than females. Once you have separated the sexes, you can start conditioning them for breeding.
- Condition the fish: To condition Neon Tetras for breeding, you must provide them with a suitable environment that mimics their natural habitat. The water temperature should be around 75-80°F (24-27°C) and the pH should be slightly acidic, around 6.0-6.5. Provide a well-planted aquarium with dim lighting. You can also increase their food intake with a variety of live and frozen foods, such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. Feeding them high-quality flakes or pellets is also recommended.
- Spawning: Once the fish are conditioned, you can start looking for signs of spawning behaviour. The males will begin chasing the females and displaying their bright colours. The females will become rounder and may develop a reddish colour around their belly. Spawning usually occurs in the early morning or late evening. To encourage spawning, you can increase the water temperature to 82-86°F (28-30°C), which simulates the rainy season in their natural habitat. Provide a breeding site such as a mesh or java moss, where the female can deposit her eggs.
- Caring for the eggs: After spawning, the female will lay around 100-200 eggs. The eggs will hatch within 24-36 hours. The fry will need to be fed infusoria or commercial fry food until they are large enough to eat brine shrimp or finely crushed flakes.
- Separating fry: Once the fry are free-swimming, you should separate them from the parents and place them in a separate tank. The fry should be kept in a well-planted aquarium with good filtration. Feed them a variety of small live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp and micro worms.
- Water changes: It is important to keep the water clean and maintain good water quality throughout the breeding process. Perform frequent water changes of at least 25% every week to keep the water parameters stable.
Breeding Neon Tetras can be a challenging but rewarding experience for fish keepers who are willing to put in the time and effort to provide the right conditions for their fish. With the right environment and care, you can successfully breed Neon Tetras and enjoy watching the fry grow into healthy adult fish.
Sexual Dimorphism:
There is no significant difference in appearance between male and female Neon Tetra, making it difficult to distinguish between the sexes. However, females tend to be slightly rounder and fuller-bodied than males.
Distribution:
The Neon Tetra is native to the Amazon Basin in South America. They are also widely bred in captivity and can be found in pet stores around the world.
Summary:
Neon Tetras are a popular choice for aquarium hobbyists due to their vibrant colours and peaceful demeanour. They have a moderate care level and require stable water conditions, soft, slightly acidic water, and a well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding places. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, and prefer dimly lit environments.
Ashleigh Bevan (verified owner) –
I got some of these for my loan neon ,he took to the group very well he now swims around happily 😊
Ashleigh Bevan (verified owner) –
I got some of these for my lone neon he now swims around happily
David H –
Bought some neon tetras from abyss they were packaged really well as well as my Gouramis which were very colourful and took to my tank immediately
Alexandra Walker (verified owner) –
All 12 arrived looking very healthy! They’re schooling around my peaceful community tank quite happily! Really bright colours and get along with all my other fish