Neon Tetra

Neon Tetra
"Paracheirodon innesi"

These blue beauty is one of the most popular fish. Beginner often prefer them for their astounding azure colour. Neon Tetra is different from Cardinal Tetra which has full red stomach. This little fish will never grow exceeding its Cardinal cousin but is tougher and easier to satisfy.



Original Habitat:
The upper reaches of the Amazon region, in small jungle stream.
Sex:
Males are slimmer. Female has fatter stomachs.
Max Length:
4 cm.
Temperature:
21 to 24 degrees Celsius.
Water:
Do well in various water composition. Prefer soft to medium-hard water with pH around 6 to 6.5.
Accommodation:
This tropical fish do excellently in a community aquarium, which does not need to be very large. Peripheral vegetation and some floating plants are appreciated. Dark coloured substrate will enable this tropical fish to display most of their colour. They also enjoy a little current in their aquarium.
Characteristics:
Neon Tetra is a shoaling tropical fish species. Larger shoal will provide more happiness and sense of security for these tiny beauty. It will also produce a spectacular sight in your aquarium. They always leave the other fishes alone and because of their cute size, they should never be mix with large, predatory fish. This tropical fish mainly stay in the middle zone.
Food:
They are easy to feed. They eat both dry and small live food.
Breeding:
To breed Neon Tetras, place a pair of this tropical fish species in a breeding tank without any light, and gradually increase the lighting until spawning occurs. Other inducers include mosquito larvae and a hardness of less than 4 degrees. Some also recommend letting the level of nitrates rise, then do at least 50% water change to simulate the fresh rain the tetras get in their natural habitat, the Amazon.You should sterilized every equipment that are placed in the aquarium, as well as the aquarium top. Because the adults will often eat newly-hatched fry, it is best to remove them as soon as the eggs have been laid. The eggs are especially sensitive to light. Eggs will hatch within 24 hours of the laying. Fry can be fed rotifers, especially infusoria and egg yolk for 1 to 4 weeks, followed by nauplii of brine shrimp, shaved cattle liver, and formulated diets. Fry will achieve their adult coloration at approximately one month of age. These tropical fish can spawn every two weeks.
Remarks:
Neon Tetra are unfortunately susceptible to a disease - "Neon Tetra Disease" which is no solution are available for them. In order to avoid this disease, one should exercise high hygiene precautions.