Neon Tetra Fish (Paracheirodon innesi): care, Feeding, and Breeding

The Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is one of the most popular freshwater fish among aquarium enthusiasts worldwide. Known for their vibrant blue and red coloration, these small, peaceful fish are a staple in many home aquariums due to their easy care and stunning appearance. Native to the Amazon Basin, particularly in the blackwater and clearwater streams of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, neon tetras have adapted to low-light environments and acidic waters rich in tannins from decaying plant material. Today, the neon tetras available in the ornamental fish trade are bred in captivity, mainly in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.

Neon tetras, also known as Innesi neon, are very popular due to their beauty and adaptability to living with other species. They are not very demanding in terms of water quality and are quite hardy. These traits have also made neon tetras useful in ecotoxicity testing and for biological control of mosquito larvae.

Their small size and peaceful nature make them a great addition to community aquariums, as they tend to coexist well with other species with similar temperaments. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced aquarist, learning about the care, temperature requirements, and lifespan of neon tetras is essential to keeping them healthy and thriving in your aquarium.

Neon Tetra Characteristics

Below is a summary of the taxonomy of the neon tetra:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Superorder: Ostariophysi
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Paracheirodon
Species: Paracheirodon innesi (Myers, 1936)
Synonym: Hyphessobrycon innesi (Myers, 1936)
Common names in Spanish: Pez neón, tetra neón, neón Innesi
Common name in English: Neon tetra

Neon tetras have a silver body with a mix of blue and red. An iridescent blue stripe extends to the caudal fin, while a red ventral stripe runs along the belly. Neon tetras are small fish, typically growing to a maximum size of 1.5 inches (about 4 cm). They reach their full size within six to nine months with proper care. The lifespan of a neon tetra usually ranges from 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of care.

Other varieties of neon tetras, including albino, xanthic, golden, and blue diamond head spots, are the result of aquaculture.

Neon Tetra vs. Other Tetra Species: Which is Better?

When choosing between different types of tetras, many aquarists wonder if neon tetras, cardinal tetras, or black neon tetras are the best option. Each species has its pros and cons depending on the aquarium setup and personal preferences.

• Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi): Known for their bright blue and red coloration, they are smaller and slightly hardier than their close relatives, making them a good choice for beginners.

• Cardinal Tetras: Similar in appearance to neon tetras but with a more vivid red stripe running the entire length of their body. They are a bit larger and may require more specific water parameters, particularly softer and more acidic water.

• Black Neon Tetras: They have similar size and care requirements but display black and silver coloration. They are equally peaceful and make an excellent addition to a community aquarium.

The choice between these species often depends on personal preferences and aquarium conditions, but all are beautiful and peaceful additions to a freshwater tank.

Distribution and Habitat of Neon Tetras

The natural habitat of neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) is the rivers of the Amazon Basin (South America). They are distributed in southern Colombia, western Brazil, and eastern Peru. Neon tetras are typically found naturally in schools, in blackwaters rich in organic matter, with dense vegetation and roots. They feed on worms and small crustaceans.

On the other hand, due to aquaculture practices to supply the ornamental fish industry, neon tetras are bred in Florida, USA (Hill y Yanong, 2023) and Southeast Asia.

Neon Tetra Breeding

Neon tetras do not have obvious sexual dimorphism; however, females are usually larger than males and have a more rounded belly area.

Conditions

Breeding neon tetras can be somewhat challenging, as they require specific water conditions: water hardness should be maintained at 1 to 2 dGH, and water pH between 5.0 and 6.0 for reproduction.

Paracheirodon innesi reach sexual maturity at 5-6 months of age, with a total length of 2.5 to 3.5 cm, and breed at a water temperature of 24 to 27°C (Chapman et al., 1998). Fish intended for breeding should be moved to spawning tanks. Before breeding, neon tetras should be segregated by sex for three weeks and fed intensively three times a day (Kucharczyk et al., 2010), maintaining a water temperature of 22°C (Kadtan y Shillewar, 2023). Then, the breeding pair should be introduced into the spawning tank, starting with total darkness. The next day, gradually increase the lighting to induce spawning.

Males will court females by swimming around them in a zigzag pattern. After fertilization, females will scatter eggs on plants or other surfaces. Remove the adults once the eggs are laid, as neon tetras may eat their own eggs. During spawning, neon tetras often jump, so cover the sides of the tank to reduce light. Kadtan and Shillewar (2023) recommend resting Paracheirodon innesi breeders for 5 to 15 days between spawning periods and caution that prolonged spawning leads to a significant deterioration in gamete quality, resulting in reduced production numbers.

Chapman et al. (1998) achieved spawning of neon tetra pairs in acidified soft water at 25°C (pH: 5.5-6.5, adjusted with phosphoric acid; total alkalinity of 3.2 mg/L and total hardness of 6.0 mg/L). Sabina et al (2013) determined that administering a 100 µg dose of gonadotropin hormone over 30 minutes through Artemia nauplii induced spawning in neon tetras.

Egg Laying

A female neon tetra usually lays between 100 and 300 eggs, which will hatch in approximately 24 to 36 hours. The eggs are transparent and adhere to plants. Remove the parents as soon as you see the eggs, as they might eat them. Keep the lighting low for the eggs and larvae, as they are sensitive to light.

Kucharczyk et al. (2010) reported that keeping fish between spawning periods of more than 20 days results in a significant decline in gamete quality. They also recommend maintaining breeders at a water temperature of 22°C before spawning.

Egg Hatching

Eggs hatch in 2-3 days, producing small larvae that do not need external feeding at first because they have a yolk sac. Hatching rates are not high, so expect about a third of the eggs to result in viable larvae.

From 3 to 4 days after hatching, you should start feeding the larvae small foods such as infusoria, rotifers, egg yolk, or commercial larval fish food.

Neon Tetra Feeding

Neon tetras are omnivores and can eat commercial fish food without issues; however, their diet should be supplemented with live or frozen Daphnia, Moina, Tubifex worms, or mosquito larvae. Ardi et al., (2020) reported that almond leaf extract can significantly improve the color quality of neon tetras; they found that a concentration of 500 ppm of almond leaves was particularly effective at enhancing green and red tones. Kasprzak et al (2021) determined that “tetra flakes” are the best food for neon tetras.

Feed your fish small portions 2 or 3 times a day, ensuring they consume all the food within 2 to 3 minutes. Kuhn et al., (2023) highlighted that temperature affects feeding behavior in Characidae fish, including Paracheirodon innesi, and induces species-specific changes in appetite regulators.

Larval Feeding

Sanaye et al (2012) emphasized that Paracheirodon innesi larvae can be weaned off live food onto formulated feed starting on day 6 to achieve better growth and survival. Chapman et al. (1998) recommended rotifers and boiled egg yolk as the first foods for neon tetra larvae.

Sabina et al (2016) studied the lipid requirements of neon tetra larvae (P. innesi) and found the best weight gain and specific growth rates when the fish were fed a diet containing 12.3% lipids.

Finally, Lipscomb et al., (2023) confirmed the critical dependence of Paracheirodon innesi larvae on live Artemia nauplii for nutrition during the early developmental stages and demonstrated that it is possible to wean neon tetra larvae onto a microparticle diet (MD) before full stomach development. Weaning programs starting 12 or 17 days after hatching resulted in similar survival rates to those fed exclusively with Artemia.

Juvenile Feeding

An artificial diet for juvenile neon tetras should contain 53.5% protein for optimal growth (Luna et al., 2001). Sealey et al (2009) highlighted that the average weight gain of neon tetras fed marine protein was significantly higher than those fed plant-based protein diets.

On the other hand, Darve y Singh H. (2014) warn that diets for neon tetras deficient in lysine, arginine, leucine, valine, and threonine result in reduced growth. They conclude that the proper and balanced incorporation of each amino acid in the diet is necessary for efficient food utilization and better growth.

Aquarium Rearing Conditions

As I mentioned earlier, neon tetras are easy to breed; the main requirements are as follows:

Table 01: Water quality parameters for the care of the neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi).

The neon tetra is a social and gregarious fish that can live in groups of 8 to 10 fish. Ariles (2013) highlights that P. innesi exhibits a strong tendency to form schools, and when the number of members decreases, the fish show a clear increase in stress.

When designing the tank, try to replicate their natural habitat in the Amazon. Some important considerations include:

• Plants and decoration: Tanks with plenty of plants and many hiding spots make neon tetras feel secure. Java moss, Anubias, and other low-light plants are ideal for this setup.

• Filtration: A gentle filter is important since neon tetras do not adapt well to strong currents. A sponge filter or an adjustable flow filter is ideal.

• Lighting: Neon tetras prefer dim lighting, similar to their natural environment. Avoid overly bright lights, as this can stress them out.

By creating an aquarium environment that closely resembles their natural habitat, your neon tetras will not only thrive but also show off their impressive colors.

Compatibility of Neon Tetras

Fish that are compatible with neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) include cardinal tetras, guppies, harlequin rasboras, catfish, shrimp, and snails.

Neon Tetra Diseases

Despite their hardy nature, neon tetras can be susceptible to certain diseases, the most notorious being Neon Tetra Disease (NTD). This disease is caused by a parasitic organism called Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, which infects the fish’s muscles, causing loss of color, lethargy, difficulty swimming, and eventually death. Unfortunately, neon tetra disease is usually fatal, and no cure is known.

Neon tetra disease can be prevented. The disease cycle begins when the parasite’s spores enter the fish after consuming infected material, such as the bodies of dead fish or contaminated live food. The disease is most likely transmitted by newly acquired fish that have not been quarantined.

According to the specialized ornamental fish website Tankaquarium, symptoms of “neon tetra disease” include loss of coloration, lumps in the body as cysts develop, difficulty swimming, curved spines as the disease progresses, and secondary infections such as fin rot and swelling.

On the other hand, a bacterial disease called “false neon disease” shows very similar symptoms. However, you should seek specialized laboratory services to differentiate between the two diseases.

Other common health issues in neon tetras include:

• Ich (white spot disease): A common parasitic infection that causes white spots on the body and fins. This can be treated with over-the-counter medications and slightly increasing the tank temperature.
• Fin rot: Caused by bacterial or fungal infections, often due to poor water quality or injuries. Treatment involves improving water conditions and using appropriate medications.
• Swim bladder disorder: Affects the fish’s ability to control buoyancy. It can result from poor diet or sudden changes in water temperature.

Conclusion

The beauty and ease of raising neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) in tanks have made them one of the most popular fish among ornamental fish enthusiasts.

Although they are native to the Amazon basin, a large volume of neon tetras sold today comes from aquaculture activities, mainly in Southeast Asia.

References

Ardi, I., Zamroni, M., & Setiadi, E. (2020, February). Utility of almond leaf (Terminalia cattapa) for improving growth and color quality of neon tetra fish (Paracheirodon innesi). In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 441, No. 1, p. 012136). IOP Publishing.

Ariles J. P. 2013. Efectos del tamaño del cardumen en el estrés de los individuos de tetra neón Paracheirodon innesi (Myers, 1936). J.P. Artiles-Lezcano. 2013. Anales Universitarios de Etología, 7:32-37

Chapman Frank A., Douglas E. Colle, Roger W. Rottmann & Jerome V. Shireman (1998) Controlled Spawning of the Neon Tetra, The Progressive Fish-Culturist, 60:1, 32-37, DOI: 10.1577/1548-8640(1998)060<0032:CSOTNT>2.0.CO;2

Darve S., Singh H. 2014. Dietary Influence of Amino Acids on Growth of Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Year : 2014, Volume : 14, Issue : 2. DOI : 10.5958/0974-181X.2014.01335.3

KADTAN, N. V., & SHILLEWAR, D. K. S. 2023. Reproduction of Neon Tetra (Paracheriodon Innesi) Under Controlled Conditions. International Journal of Life Sciences Research Vol. 11, Issue 1, pp: (10-14), Month: January – March 2023.

Kasprzak, Robert, Anna B. Grzeszkiewicz, and Aleksandra Górecka. 2021. “Performance of Co-Housed Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) and Glowlight Rasboras (Trigonostigma hengeli) Fed Commercial Flakes and Lyophilized Natural Food” Animals 11, no. 12: 3520. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123520

Kucharczyk Dariusz, Katarzyna Targońska, Daniel Żarski, Sławomir Krejszeff, Krzysztof Kupren, Marek J. Łuczyński, Andrzej Szczerbowski. 2010. The reproduction of neon tetra, Paracheirodon innesi (Myers, 1936), under controlled conditions. Pol. J. Natur. Sc., Vol 25(1): 81–92, DOI 10.2478/v10020-010-0006-x

Kuhn, J., Azari, S., & Volkoff, H. (2023). Effects of temperature on food intake and the expression of appetite regulators in three Characidae fish: The black-skirted tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) and Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 275, 111333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111333

Hill, J. E., & Yanong, R. P. (2023). Freshwater ornamental fish commonly cultured in Florida. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension.

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Wikipedia. Neon Tetra.