Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

The electric-blue stripe of the neon tetra catches light like a tiny neon sign, helping schools stay together in dark water.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 3.5 cm, lives in the middle of the tank in groups of 6 or more and needs 20–27 °C, pH 5.8–7.6 and an aquarium of at least 40 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

20–27 °C (68–81 °F)

pH

5.8–7.6

Adult size

3.5 cm (1.4 in)

Aquarium

40 L or bigger (11 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

6 or more

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Amazon blackwater streams

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras, Dwarf Gourami, Ghost Shrimp, Honey Gourami, Kuhli Loach, Marbled Hatchetfish, Mystery Snail, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Eaten by: Angelfish, Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Black Ghost Knifefish, Comet Goldfish, Electric Blue Acara, Firemouth Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray and 3 more.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Celestial Pearl Danio, Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Ember Tetra, Ghost Shrimp, Neocaridina Shrimp, Pea Puffer.

Its fry are eaten by: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra, Discus, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish and 25 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Classic common
• Golden Neon rare

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.3 cm long and take after one of the parents.

Now and then a rare mutation shows up: Golden Neon.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.