Neon Tetra Care

Neon Tetra Care Neon Tetra School Neon Tetra

The Neon Tetra (scientific name Paracheirodon Innesi) is a freshwater tropical fish from the characin family. The fish is native to the blackwater or clearwater streams of Brazil, Peru and south east Columbia. Due to its striking neon appearance and simplicity of care the Neon Tetra is the most popular fish kept in home aquariums around the world today.

Water conditions

In captivity the Neon Tetra will live for around 5 years and can grow up to 4 cm (1.57 inches) in size. Because of their small size they should not be kept in tanks with other large or aggressive fish as they may be bullied or become food.

Like most aquarium fish Neon Tetra will do fine when fed commercial fish flakes but the diet will do better when fed a varied that includes such things as worms, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae. Mosquito larvae can sometimes be caught in your garden if you have a pond or other stagnant water where mosquito lay eggs.

It is best to keep Neon Tetras in schools of six or more. They are a shoaling fish and will be happier, brighter in appearance and more active when kept in a school. Other fish that live well together with Neon Tetra are Rummy-Nose Tetra, Glowlight Tetra and Cardinal Tetra. Neon tetra may even shoal with Cardinal Tetra if their isn't many other Neons in the tank.

Being a shy fish you should provide plenty of places to hide. Neons like logs and root systems as well as plenty of plants in the aquarium.

Neon Tetra are prone to developing Neon Tetra disease, an incurable parasitical disease introduced into the tank from live food or other fish. This disease is covered in more detail on this page.

Neons may breed in a community tank if the conditions are right but the young will most likely be eaten by other fish. If you are looking to breed you should setup a dedicated breeding tank to ensure the survival of the fry. More information of breeding can be found here.