The Neon Tetra: Comprehensive Guide to Care, Feeding, and Breeding
Quick links – Answers
- Tank size
- Are these fish easy to keep?
- Biotope for Neon tetras
- Feeding
- Size of the fish
- Keeping with Angelfish
- In a 5 gallon tank?
- Compatible species
- In a fish bowl
- Suitable plants
- Why are they shy?
- Is it possible to keep one Neon tetra in a tank
- Do Neon tetras breed fast?
- Do Neon tetras eat plants?
- Why has my N. Tetra disappeared
- Questions and answers
Brief Description
Welcome to the definitive guide on caring for Neon tetras! Here, you'll find comprehensive information on tank setup, breeding, raising fry, and everything you need to know to successfully keep these vibrant fish. We invite you to share your experiences with Neon tetras by submitting your story at the bottom of this page. For more insights and resources, check out these related pages: Neon tetra profile with forum, Black neon tetra (similar species), Green neon tetra (another similar species), and Neon tetra disease.
Introduction – Requirements, Tank Setup, and Essential Facts
Neon tetras, scientifically named Paracheirodon innesi, belong to the Characins family. These small, brightly colored fish are among the most popular tropical aquarium species worldwide. They can grow up to 4 cm (1.57 inches) in length, thrive in slowly moving waters, and prefer dim lighting. Originating from the moderately sized rivers of South America, specifically in southeast Colombia and eastern Peru, Neon tetras are accustomed to dark-yellow or dark-brown waters. These peaceful, non-territorial schooling fish do best in groups of 10 or more and should never be kept alone as they rely on each other for security and communication. It’s crucial to highlight this, as many aquarists mistakenly believe that keeping 3 or 5 Neon tetras is sufficient, which can lead to stress and suffering for the fish.
Tank Conditions
Neon tetras thrive in neutral to slightly acidic water with a pH between 6.5 and 7, and a stable temperature ranging from 20 to 25°C (68-77°F). It is also essential to maintain a general water hardness of 4-14°N dGH (71.43 - 214.29 ppm, 1.43 - 4.29 mEq) when caring for these fish. Monitoring carbonate hardness is crucial, as pH remains stable when carbonate hardness is 4 or higher. Although Paracheirodon innesi can tolerate a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, this value must not fluctuate randomly.
Tank Setup
To create an ideal biotope for neon tetras, use a sandy substrate and scatter almond leaves or similar materials around to mimic their natural habitat. Adding bogwood can help maintain the acidic conditions of the water and give it a yellowish tint. Ensure the lighting is relatively subdued and include clusters of plants while leaving open swimming areas at the front of the tank. Suitable plants for a Neon tetra tank include:
- Tonina fluviatilis
- Mayaca fluviatilis
- Myriophyllum aquaticum
- Heteranthera zosterifolia
- Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
- Hydrocotyle verticillata
- Egeria densa
- Echinodorus parviflorus
- Echinodorus osiris
- Echinodorus latifolius
- Echinodorus amazonicus
- Cabomba furcata
A display tank is recommended for these tetras.
Optimal coloration is essential for these shoaling fish, as they use their colors to communicate. Poor conditions can lead to faded colors, reducing their ability to interact and communicate with one another effectively.
Tank Size
Although Neon tetras are quite small, they require a tank with enough space to accommodate 1 inch of fish per US gallon (0.83 Imperial gallon) of water (approximately 0.7 cm – 1 cm of fish length per liter). For larger groups, this guideline is important to follow. A 5-gallon tank (18.93 liters, 4.16 Imperial gallons) can only house about 5 neon tetras, which is not ideal. To keep at least 10 fish, a minimum of a 10-gallon tank (37.85 liters, 8.33 Imperial gallons) is needed. Raising this species in a fish bowl should be avoided unless the bowl is sufficiently large (50 liters, 13 US gallons, 11 Imperial gallons) and includes plants, rocks, and wood to provide orientation points.
Are Neon Tetras Suitable for Beginners?
While many aquarium stores market Neon tetras as ideal for beginners, this can be misleading. These fish are not as hardy as they might appear and should not be introduced to a new tank setup. They should only be placed in a tank that is fully cycled and has had stable water conditions for at least two months. Often, new owners find that some of the Neon tetras have disappeared by the next morning.
If the water chemistry is unstable, Neon tetras can quickly suffer and die, with their small bodies sometimes difficult to find. In some cases, they may even be drawn into the filters due to their size.
Temperament and Tank Mates
Neon tetras are generally quite shy, especially if you keep only a few, such as 2 or 3. This behavior stems from their natural habitat, where they form large shoals and seek refuge among roots and fallen wood in the rivers of South America. These environments, filled with fallen wood, tree roots, and plants, provide many hiding places. In an empty tank with only water, Neon tetras will struggle, leading to stress, diseases, and potentially premature death.
Neon tetras thrive with peaceful fish species of similar size. They do well with:
- Corydoras
- Other small Tetras
- Rasboras
- Peaceful Plecos
- Yoyo loach
- Zebra loach
- Horseface loach
- Tiger hillstream loach
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
However, they are often mistakenly kept with inappropriate tank mates such as:
Researching the compatibility of species can prevent such issues.
Paracheirodon innesi can be kept with Angelfish or mid-sized South American cichlids, but it is important to introduce all species to their new tank as juveniles. Keep in mind that Neon tetras are preyed upon by Angelfish in the wild, so this combination may not always be successful!
If you are adding Neons to an established community tank, ensure you feed the fish and turn off the lights before introducing the new arrivals.
Nutrition - Diet
Neon tetras are omnivores and have a varied diet. They enjoy brine shrimp, high-quality flakes, small granules, and both live or frozen foods like tubifex. Feed them at least twice a day, providing only small amounts at a time due to their tiny stomachs. Offer only as much food as they can consume within 5 minutes to avoid water quality issues from uneaten food.
Many new aquarists are misinformed about Neon tetras eating plants and believe that Neon tetras eat plants. This is not true - your plants are completely safe with Neon tetras.
Sexing and Breeding
Determining the sex of Neon tetras can be challenging. Females tend to have a rounder belly, and if you observe the lateral line, males have a straight line while females' lines are slightly curved, which is more noticeable when the female is carrying eggs.
Breeding Neon Tetras can be quite challenging, though they are successfully bred in fish farms in Asia. In the wild, they breed prolifically, but this is less common in aquariums. Each spawning typically produces 30-50 eggs.
Prepare the breeding tank with an air-driven sponge filter and place marbles on the bottom to allow fallen eggs to fall through. Neon tetras do not provide parental care and will eat the eggs if they can. Add a few plants (live or artificial) and ensure the water is soft and acidic, with a pH no higher than 6.8. Cover the tank with a lid as spawning Neons may jump out. Keep the tank dark and condition the parent fish with live or frozen foods until the female's abdomen swells with eggs. Spawning usually occurs at dawn. After spawning, remove the parent fish, and eggs will attach to the plants, tank glass, and marble substrate.
The eggs will hatch within 24 hours. Keep the tank in darkness to protect the light-sensitive fry from shock. Initially, the fry will consume their yolk sacs, so no food is needed right away. Once the yolk sacs are depleted, feed the fry Infusoria or commercial fry food until they are large enough to eat newly hatched brine shrimp.
Colours and Diseases
The Neon tetra displays a dark olive-green color with silver-white and red hues. They typically lose their vibrant colors at night as they rest, a natural defense mechanism to become less visible to predators. Their colors usually return in the morning when they become active. If a Neon tetra shows faded colors during the day or appears unhealthy, it could indicate an illness. Be aware that sudden changes in their environment can lead to unpredictable behavior or diseases.
One of the most common ailments is Neon Tetra Disease, caused by the microsporidian parasite Pleistophora. This disease infects fish through consumption of contaminated material or open wounds. Key symptoms include restlessness, color loss, and swimming difficulties. The primary course of action is to remove the affected fish. Using a diatom filter can help reduce the number of parasites in the tank. For more information, refer to our article: Neon Tetra Disease – Symptoms, Prevention, and Forum.
Pictures
Provided by Mihail of Romania.
Additional Questions and Answers - About Neon Tetras
On March 19th, 2011, we consolidated all Neon tetra-related inquiries from aqua-fish.net/answers into this article to bring related topics together on one page. If you have additional questions that are not addressed here, please use the form at the bottom of this page to ask us. Some of the questions listed below might already have partial answers on this page.
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Why are my Neon tetras so shy?
Answer: Neon tetras are often misunderstood. Although they are frequently labeled as suitable for beginners, they are naturally timid fish. Providing hiding places in the aquarium will help them feel secure and reduce their shyness.
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Why are Neon tetras so fragile?
Answer: Neon tetras are delicate and require optimal water quality. They are sensitive to changes and should not be introduced to immature or unstable tanks.
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What should you do when your Neon tetras lay eggs?
Answer: Move the plant with the eggs to a separate tank (or alternatively, transfer the parents and other tank mates) to prevent the fry from being eaten. Feed the fry Artemia salina once they hatch.
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Why do my Neon tetras panic when the aquarium lights go off?
Answer: In their natural habitat, Neon tetras seek out hiding spots at night to avoid predators. This instinct persists in the aquarium, causing them to panic when the lights are turned off.
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What water conditions do Neon tetras prefer?
Answer: Neon tetras thrive in slightly acidic, soft water with a pH of 6.8 and a temperature of 24°C (75.2°F). They should not be added to a new tank setup, as they require mature water conditions to thrive.
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What levels of the aquarium do Neon tetras usually occupy?
Answer: Neon tetras swim at all levels of the aquarium. They appreciate a spacious environment with plenty of hiding spots and plants.
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What size tank is suitable for breeding Neon tetras?
Answer: Neon tetras do not require a large tank for breeding. A 10-gallon (37.85 liters, 8.33 Imperial gallons) tank is sufficient.
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Why do my tetras chase each other?
Answer: Chasing among tetras is usually a sign of play and indicates that the fish are content and well-adjusted in their environment.
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Why isn’t the coloration on my tetras showing up?
Answer: If the coloration of your tetras is not vibrant, it may indicate that the fish are not happy with their tank conditions. Proper conditions should bring out their full color.
Other webpages devoted to Neon tetras; Outside of Aqua-Fish.Net
- Neon Tetras and Bettas at nippyfish.net!