Albino Neon Tetra Care Guide
The Albino Neon Tetra is a selectively bred form of Paracheirodon innesi with reduced pigment that retains the species' blue stripe.
Overview
The Albino Neon Tetra is a selectively bred colour form of the Neon Tetra, Paracheirodon innesi, with reduced pigment that still shows the iconic iridescent blue stripe. The wild Neon Tetra is one of the most widely kept aquarium fishes.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae (Wikipedia places the species in Acestrorhamphidae, order Characiformes)
- Genus: Paracheirodon
- Scientific name: Paracheirodon innesi (albino form)
Habitat
The wild species originates from the western and northern Amazon basin in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru and western Brazil, in blackwater and clearwater streams rather than whitewater rivers (Wikipedia, FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (FishBase suggests a minimum aquarium length of 60 cm)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (Wikipedia gives 20-28 °C for the species)
- pH: 5.5-7.0 (FishBase 5.0-7.0; wild habitat as low as 4.0-4.8)
- GH: 1-10 °dGH (FishBase 1-2 dH)
- Maximum size: about 4 cm overall (Wikipedia)
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 2-4 years (Wikipedia notes typically two to three years in aquaria)
Diet
The Neon Tetra is omnivorous; wild adults take worms, small insects, crustaceans and plant matter. In the aquarium it accepts small flake, micropellets and frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful shoaling fish that must be kept in groups of at least six and is more active in larger groups. Suitable companions include Cardinal tetras and Corydoras; aggressive species should be avoided. The albino form is reported to be slightly more sensitive than the wild form.
Breeding
Breeding the Neon Tetra is considered difficult. Wikipedia notes spawning requires dim lighting, very soft water, pH around 5.5, a temperature near 24 C and high tannins; eggs hatch about 24 hours after spawning.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List for the species: Least Concern (assessed 2021).