Small in size but mighty in personality, neon tetras are one of the most popular freshwater fish breeds. They are renowned for their bright colours, stunning stripes, and peaceful temperament.
Neon tetras are very easy to care for, making them a popular choice for beginner aquarists. They also have an average lifespan of 6-8 years and love to play and hide in underwater plants.
Environment â–¼
Neon tetras are tropical freshwater fish, so they must be kept in a consistent environment with tropical water temperatures that mirror their natural habitat. With this in mind, they are only suited for aquariums.
However, if the water is warm enough, they can be kept in an outdoor pond with a water heater. The temperature must remain high, and neon tetras must be brought back inside as soon as the temperature cools.
Water Temp â–¼
Neon tetra must be kept in water temperatures between 78 and 81°F or 21 and 27°C. Water colder than this will cause them stress and illness and make them more susceptible to disease.
For best results, you should keep neon tetra at a pH level between 6 and 7 and a water hardness between 2 and 10 dH.
Tank Mates â–¼
Neon tetras are extremely friendly and should be kept in schools of at least six other tetras before other fish are introduced. When swimming in a school, they create a beautiful vibrant wave that will be a stunning focal point in your fish tank.
Their nature is peaceful, so they make suitable tank mates for other freshwater fish types, including other tetras species, cory catfish and barbs. They can also be housed with mystery snails and cherry shrimp!
Due to their small size, neon tetra can become a food source for larger fish, so it's important to bear this in mind when choosing their tank mates. It's also important that they are not housed with overly aggressive fish breeds, and if subjected to stress, neon tetras may engage in aggressive behaviour.
Diet â–¼
Neon tetras are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet that includes plant matter, algae, insects, and meat.
You should feed neon tetras high-protein fish flakes as a diet staple and offer live or frozen foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp a few times a week.
How Often â–¼
You should feed neon tetras twice daily, offering enough food for them to eat for two minutes each time. If you overfeed your tetras, they can quickly become ill, so it's important to stick to a controlled feeding schedule and to clear any leftovers from the tank.
