Neon Tetra care guide
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 20-26 °C, pH 5-7. Peaceful middle-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a small characid native to the western and northern Amazon basin. It is identified by an iridescent blue lateral line and a red band running along the lower half of the body. The species is among the most widely traded freshwater aquarium fish in the world.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Paracheirodon
- Scientific name: Paracheirodon innesi
Habitat
In the wild Paracheirodon innesi inhabits soft, acidic blackwater and clearwater tributaries of the upper Amazon in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru and western Brazil. It avoids fast-flowing whitewater rivers and is typically found in shaded, slow-moving sections of small streams with leaf litter and submerged roots.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-4 cm
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 5-7
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
Paracheirodon innesi is an opportunistic omnivore. Wild specimens feed on small invertebrates, insect larvae and fine plant material drifting in the water column. In aquaria, micro-pellets, crushed flakes and small frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops or brine shrimp are accepted readily; feed in small portions twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful mid-water schooling species. Maintain a group of at least six individuals to reduce stress and encourage natural shoaling behaviour. Suitable tank mates include other small characins such as Cardinal Tetra, peaceful catfish such as Corydoras and Otocinclus, and small rasboras. Avoid large or aggressive species (Oscar, adult Angelfish, Betta) that may predate on or harass the school.
Breeding
Captive breeding requires very soft, acidic water (GH below 2, pH around 5.5), dim lighting and a separate species tank with fine-leaved plants. Females scatter adhesive eggs which are sensitive to light and fungal infection; parents do not guard the brood. Fry hatch within roughly 24 hours and free-swim a few days later.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is widely distributed and most aquarium specimens today are commercially captive-bred.
Albino Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) Breeding Guide
Overview
The albino neon is a selectively bred colour form of Paracheirodon innesi, a small characid from the Amazon basin tributaries of western Brazil, eastern Peru and southeastern Colombia, reaching 20-30 mm per FishBase. Breeding follows the standard neon tetra protocol documented by Seriously Fish; the reduced pigment of the albino does not change the spawning method, although light-sensitive eggs make a dark tank especially important.
Sexing
According to Seriously Fish, sexually mature females are normally noticeably rounder-bodied and a little larger than males. Conditioned, egg-laden females are the easiest to identify.
Conditioning
Condition fish with plenty of small live foods, keeping the sexes in separate groups or using a tank divider. FishBase records general care parameters of 21-25 C, pH 4.0-7.5 and hardness 18-215 ppm; spawning targets the soft, acidic end of that range.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish specifies a very dimly lit spawning tank with fine-leaved plants such as java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh base that lets eggs fall through but keeps adults away. Recommended spawning water is pH 5.5-6.5, gH 1-5 at 80-84 F.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Fish can be spawned in groups of six of each sex, but pairs are more productive. The fattest female and best-coloured male are transferred to the spawning tank in the evening, and spawning typically follows the next morning.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and fry become free-swimming 3-4 days later. The eggs and fry are light-sensitive in the early stages, so the tank should be kept dark if possible. Initial fry food is infusoria-type foods, progressing to microworm or brine shrimp nauplii.
Breeding Neon Tetra
Overview
The Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is an egg-scattering characin whose captive reproduction is rated intermediate in difficulty. Spawning is considered difficult in home aquaria and depends on very soft, acidic water and subdued light. Fish become old enough to breed at about 12 weeks.
Sexing
Sexually mature females are normally noticeably rounder-bodied and a little larger than males. The straighter blue line on the slimmer male contrasts with the slightly bent blue line of the rounder female.
Conditioning the Breeders
Condition the breeders heavily on plenty of small live foods. For pair spawning, the most productive method, condition males and females separately in different tanks or behind a divider, then transfer the fattest female and best-coloured male to the spawning tank in the evening.
Breeding Setup
- Light: very dimly lit; eggs and fry are light-sensitive in the early stages
- Water: pH 5.5-6.5, hardness around 1-5, with abundant tannins
- Temperature: 24-29 °C (about 75-84 °F)
- Spawning medium: clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss, spawning mops, or a mesh base that eggs fall through but adults cannot reach
- Filtration: a small air-powered sponge filter bubbling gently
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
In group spawning, condition about half a dozen of each sex together. In pair spawning, a conditioned pair introduced in the evening should spawn the following morning. The eggs are scattered among the fine-leaved medium.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and the fry become free-swimming about 3-4 days post-hatch. Because the eggs and fry are light-sensitive, keep the tank dark in the early stages. First foods are an infusoria-type food for the first few days, progressing to microworm or brine shrimp nauplii once the fry are large enough.
Common Challenges
The main difficulties are achieving water soft and acidic enough to allow fertilisation and protecting the light-sensitive eggs. Adults will eat scattered eggs, so a mesh base or prompt removal of the spawners is recommended.