Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

If you’ve spent any time at all in the freshwater aquarium hobby, then you’re sure to have encountered the wildly popular neon tetra. Neon tetra are a small schooling fish that can be distinguished by their bright, “neon”, red and blue coloration. Neon tetra care requirements are relatively easy and straightforward, which is a big reason why they’ve been popular in aquariums for many decades.

As one of the most common species of tetra, you’ll find neon tetra in local fish stores all over. A peaceful species, neon tetras get along well in an aquarium with other fish that are about the same size and have a similar temperament, making them great additions to any community tank.

Neon Tetra Species Overview

Neon Tetra Care

Hailing from South America’s Amazon River basin, neon tetra are best kept in large schools to help bring out their colors and reduce their stress levels. At a minimum, look to keep a group of 6 neon tetras, although the bigger the better. Provide a tank with a minimum size of 10 gallons for a small group of neon tetras.

There are many different species of tetra that have become popular in the aquarium hobby, however over the last few decades neon tetra have been one of the most popular. Some other similar species of tetra include the black neon tetra, green neon tetra, and cardinal tetra.

Feeding

Neon tetra are omnivores, and their diet should include a variety of foods to ensure proper nutrition. A combination of high-quality flake or pellet food formulated for tropical fish, along with occasional live or frozen foods, provides a sufficient neon tetra diet.

Neon tetras enjoy live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. These treats can be given occasionally to provide variety and stimulate their natural hunting instincts. Take care to avoid overfeeding, as it can lead to water quality issues and bloating.

Water Conditions

Neon tetra come from very soft, very acidic stream waters in South America. They do very well in tannin-stained dark water as well. In an aquarium setting, look to keep the pH between 5.5-7.0 and the temperature between 68-78°F (20-25°C). Aim for a general hardness (GH) of 5-12 dGH. Avoid extremes in water hardness, as these fish are more adaptable to softer conditions.

Avoid rapid changes in temperature, pH, or hardness, as neon tetras can be sensitive to sudden alterations in their environment. Neon tetras do not require strong water currents, provide gentle water movement with a sponge filter or waterfall filter to ensure proper oxygenation without causing stress to the fish.

Breeding

Breeding neon tetra in a home aquarium is considered difficult but has become more common in recent years. When distinguishing neon tetra, males will be more slender and have a straight blue line across their bodies. Female neon tetra are rounder and have a blue line that will appear bent.

When looking to breed neon tetra, select a pair of mature adults (at least 12 weeks old) and place them in a separate breeding tank. Ensure that this tank has lots of hiding areas and plants such as java moss for the eggs to be scattered into.

For breeding, neon tetras require 75 °F (24 °C), 5.5 pH, DH less than one, and dim lighting. The water must also contain a significant amount of tannins. Neon tetra are known to eat their own eggs, so it’s best to either remove the eggs and move them to a controlled grow out tank, or to breed your fish in the grow out tank and remove them promptly after they have spawned.

Neon Tetra Disease

A common concern when keeping neon tetra is the so-called “neon tetra disease”. Neon tetra disease has been known to be somewhat common, and unfortunately it is almost always fatal and generally incurable. Restlessness, color loss, lumps on the body as cysts form, trouble swimming, curved spines as the disease worsens, and secondary infections like fin rot and bloating are some of the common symptoms.

Neon tetra disease is parasitic in nature, and you should separate any potentially infected fish from the rest of the tank promptly when you suspect one might be infected. The primary method of prevention for neon tetra disease would be to have a thorough quarantine process for any new specimens that you plan on adding to your aquarium.

Tank Setup for Neon Tetra

If starting out with a smaller school of neon tetra, a 10 gallon aquarium will be sufficient. Keeping a larger school in a larger aquarium is preferable however, as the fish will come together to create a mesmerizing display of color within your aquarium. It’s also crucial to make sure that your tank is incorporating aquatic plants, as this will give your tetras room to hide and enrichment as well as help to keep your water clean.

Look to include some natural elements such as aquatic wood or leaf litter in your aquarium. This will help to keep the water soft and acidic, just how neon tetra like it. In addition, you can look to use an aquasoil that helps to regulate pH and assist with plant growth.

Neon Tetra Tankmates

Neon tetra are peaceful and do well with other non-aggressive community fish that are similar in size and have similar water condition requirements. Avoid keeping them with larger or aggressive species that may intimidate or harm them.

Some fish that do well in a community tank with neon tetra include:

• Betta fish
• Other tetra (Such as cardinal or green neon tetra)
• Harlequin rasbora (Or other rasbora)
• Panda corydoras (Or other cory catfish)

Be sure not to overstock your aquarium, we’d recommend checking out an aquarium stocking calculator such as aqadvisor.com to help gauge the stocking level of your tank.

Neon Tetra Care Summary

The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) stands out as a captivating and popular species in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Recognizable by their vibrant red and blue colors, these small schooling fish are not only aesthetically pleasing but also known for their peaceful nature, making them suitable for community tanks.

The neon tetra’s care requirements are relatively easy to meet, with a recommended minimum tank size of 10 gallons. Originating from South America, these fish thrive in soft, slightly acidic water conditions, and their health benefits from being kept in larger schools. Proper feeding, including a mix of high-quality flake or pellet food and occasional live or frozen treats, contributes to their overall well-being.

The neon tetra will continue to remain a staple in the aquarium world, widely appreciated for its beauty, ease of care, and compatibility with various tankmates.