FishbeginnerFreshwater

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characidae

📍 Western Amazon, South America

One of the most popular aquarium fish, the neon tetra is recognised by its vivid iridescent blue stripe and red tail. It thrives in schools of six or more in soft, slightly acidic water with dense planting. Peaceful and hardy once acclimated, making it ideal for community tanks.

Size1.5"

Min Tank10g

School6+

peaceful

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Neon tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets and flake food as staples, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods such as daphnia and micro worms. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, as overfeeding degrades water quality in their preferred smaller tanks.

Behavior

Neon tetras are highly social, peaceful fish that exhibit their most vibrant coloration and natural behavior only when kept in schools of 6 or more individuals. They are mid-water swimmers that spend most of their time in the open, displaying synchronized schooling patterns that make them a centerpiece attraction in community aquariums. They are non-aggressive toward other peaceful species and rarely nip fins.

Breeding

Breeding neon tetras in captivity is difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums, requiring very soft, acidic water (pH 5.0-5.5), dim lighting, and specialized conditioning. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro foods. Most aquarists find it impractical to breed them at home; wild-caught and farm-bred specimens are readily available commercially.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eater with identical water parameter requirements; shares mid-water and bottom zones without conflict

excellent

Rummy Nose Tetra

Closely related tetra with identical water requirements and peaceful schooling behavior; compatible tank mate

excellent

Dwarf Gourami

Peaceful mid-water swimmer that tolerates slightly acidic water; may occasionally chase but rarely injure tetras

good

Amano Shrimp

Peaceful invertebrate that shares soft water preference and provides algae control without competing for food

excellent

Bolivian Ram

Gentle dwarf cichlid that prefers similar warm, soft water; may occasionally chase but generally compatible with schools

good

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 7-10 days

Neon Tetra Disease

Symptoms

Loss of coloration, curved spine, lethargy, erratic swimming, white spots along lateral line

Treatment

No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water quality, and consider euthanasia to prevent transmission to healthy fish

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality and aeration, use antibiotic treatment or salt baths; remove any sharp decorations that may cause injury