Neon Tetra
Overview
A small, peaceful schooling fish with bright blue and red coloration.
Origin: South America
Family: Characidae
Physical Characteristics
Habitat Requirements
Care and Feeding
Diet Information Neon Tetras are omnivores, and in their natural habitat, they feed on a variety of small worms, insects, and crustaceans. In the aquarium, a balanced and varied diet is crucial for their health and vibrant coloration. Staple Diet: High-quality micro-pellets or flakes are an excellent base. Look for formulas specifically made for small tropical fish. Due to their small mouths, the food size is important. Supplement with Live/Frozen Foods: To ensure a complete diet and to bring out their best colors, supplement with live or frozen foods a few times a week. Great options include: Frozen: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops. Always thaw frozen foods before feeding. Live: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and microworms. These also provide natural hunting enrichment. Plant-based Foods: Some aquarists also include vegetable-based foods like blanched spinach or spirulina flakes to ensure a well-rounded diet, as they will graze on some plant matter in the wild. Feeding Habits: Neon Tetras are grazers and have small stomachs. It's better to feed them small amounts several times a day rather than one large meal. Only feed what they can consume in 2-3 minutes to prevent uneaten food from fouling the water.
Breeding
Breeding Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding Notes: Breeding Tank: You'll need a separate, small breeding tank (2-5 gallons). The tank should have no substrate, as the eggs are sensitive to light and will fall to the bottom. Instead, use a layer of marbles or a spawning mop/java moss to protect the eggs from the parents. Water Conditions: This is the most critical factor. The water must be very soft (1-2 dGH) and acidic (pH of 5.0-6.0). Many breeders use reverse osmosis (RO) water or rainwater to achieve these parameters. The temperature should be around 75-78°F (24-26°C). Spawning: Once a conditioned male and female are placed in the breeding tank, spawning typically occurs in the morning. They scatter hundreds of tiny, clear eggs, which are very light-sensitive. Parent Removal: Immediately after spawning, the parents must be removed from the tank, as they will readily eat their own eggs. Hatching & Fry Care: The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours. The fry are extremely tiny and will absorb their yolk sac for a few days. Once they become free-swimming, they require microscopic food like infusoria or liquid fry food. After about a week, you can transition to newly hatched baby brine shrimp. The tank should be kept dimly lit for the first few days, as the fry are also light-sensitive. High Mortality: It's common to have a high mortality rate with Neon Tetra fry, which is another reason breeding them is challenging.
Compatibility
Peaceful
Compatibility Notes Neon Tetras are peaceful, schooling fish. They thrive in groups of at least six or more, with larger schools being ideal to reduce stress and display their natural shoaling behavior. When choosing tank mates, prioritize fish that are also peaceful, of a similar size, and prefer similar water conditions. Good Tank Mates: Other Tetras: Black Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Lemon Tetras, and Rummy-Nose Tetras. Rasboras: Harlequin Rasboras, Chili Rasboras. Corydoras Catfish: These peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish occupy a different level of the tank and won't bother the Tetras. Dwarf Gouramis: Peaceful species like Honey Gouramis and Dwarf Gouramis can work well, but monitor for any signs of aggression. Livebearers: Peaceful livebearers like Guppies and Platies can be good tank mates, but their faster breeding can lead to overpopulation. Invertebrates: Peaceful invertebrates like Amano Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, and Nerite Snails. Fish to Avoid: Large or Aggressive Fish: Any fish large enough to fit a Neon Tetra in its mouth should be avoided. This includes larger cichlids, some species of barbs, and many larger semi-aggressive fish. Fin Nippers: While Neon Tetras are fast enough to evade some fin nippers, it's best to avoid species like Tiger Barbs that are known to harass small, peaceful fish.