Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) Care Guide
A smaller relative of the Neon Tetra with a more prominent blue-green iridescent stripe and less red coloring. Native to blackwater environments, it thrives in soft, acidic water with tannins.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Paracheirodon simulans is a species in the family Characidae. A smaller relative of the Neon Tetra with a more prominent blue-green iridescent stripe and less red coloring. Native to blackwater environments, it thrives in soft, acidic water with tannins. In large groups, the shimmering blue-green school creates a breathtaking display.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Paracheirodon
- Scientific name: Paracheirodon simulans
- Other names: False Neon Tetra, Blue Neon
- Origin: South America, Brazil, Colombia
Habitat
Native to the upper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. Inhabits soft, acidic blackwater tributaries and flooded forest. Smaller and with a more extensive blue-green lateral stripe than the closely related Paracheirodon innesi.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 24-30 °C
- pH: 4-6.5
- GH: 1-4 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 10
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Corydoras, Cherry Shrimp
- Avoid with: Betta, Oscar, Large Cichlids
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: advanced
Green Neon Tetra Breeding Guide
Overview
Paracheirodon simulans is a small tetra of the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers, growing to roughly 1-2 cm in standard length. Its native blackwater habitat is extremely soft and acidic, occupying the uppermost portions of tributaries, with recorded pH between 4.3 and 4.7 and dissolved oxygen as low as 0.7-4.4 mg/L. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with the aquarium trade being its only known threat. The species is not bred on a commercial basis, which makes it harder to find and reflects the demanding conditions needed to spawn it.
Sexing
Sexually mature females are normally noticeably rounder-bodied and a little larger than males.
Breeding Setup
Successful breeding demands very specific water: extremely soft, with a pH of about 6 and a temperature around 25 C, heavily stained by tannins from peat, in subdued light. These conditions recreate the soft, dark waters of the natural range.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Females can produce about 130 eggs per batch. As an egg-scattering characin, the fish should be conditioned and spawned over a fine-leaved medium in the dimly lit, soft, peat-stained tank. Adults can breed again after a few weeks.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in about 24 hours but are light sensitive, so the tank must be kept dark in the early stages. Newly hatched fry require infusoria initially, later transitioning to commercial fry foods as they grow.
Common Challenges
The need for very soft, acidic, tannin-rich water and the light sensitivity of the eggs make this an advanced project; most aquarium stock is wild-caught because the species is not bred commercially, with roughly 17,000 individuals recorded as exported in 2002. Matching the soft, dark, low-oxygen character of the natural range as closely as possible is the key to coaxing the fish into spawning.