One of the most popular aquarium fish, Neon Tetras were originally from South American countries including Brazil, Columbia and Peru however most are imported from comercial hatcheries in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
This tetra is a clear water fish, and is not found in white water such as river rapids.
The fish is transparent except for the color markings, including it’s fins. The blue and red colors may turn grey while the fish is resting or with extended periods of darkness, returning when the fish becomes active for the day.
The color may also fade due to stress, like human interaction with the environment, new fish or not enough fish to properly shoal. When the fish is kept in large enough numbers to shoal (six or more) they tend to keep brighter colors. A.D.P. Super R Red Color Enhancer Fish Food
These small fish have adapted well to captivity and can be kept with other non-aggresive fish such as guppies, other types of tetra’s as well as other types of schooling fish as long as they are not so big as to eat them and have similar habitats as the tetra. They are a social fish, more active and brighter colored when in a shoal. Low light with a thick planting of vegetation suits them best. Remember to always quarantine your fish before adding them to your tank, to prevent the spread of disease.
Feeding
Most flake food is good for Neon Tetra as long as the flakes are small enough for the fish to eat. Flake food is best when supplemented with brine shrimp, freeze-dried blood worms or tubifex. Frozen blood worms or slowly sinking micro pellets are good also, as these fish are mid feeders.
Breeding
Neon Tetras have been bred for trade in large numbers, making them one of the most common tropical fish in keeper’s collections. Some estimates are that in one month, up to 1.8 million neon tetra’s are imported to the United States for the hobby, making the breed affordable and available for every collector. In the United States, there are no commercial breeders of the fish for the industry but breeding the fish is an option for the home aquarist.
Male and female fish vary slightly in this species, with males having a straight blue line and smaller belly. Place a pair in a separate breeding tank, it is easier to control conditions and to keep other fish in your main tank from eating the eggs or fry. Start with a dark tank, slowly increasing the light and do a 50% water change (this simulates rainfall, part of their natural breeding cycle) to help stimulate breeding. A female may lay up to one hundred eggs during a spawn. Remove the adults as soon as eggs are laid to prevent the adults from feeding on the newly hatched fry.
The eggs are especially sensitive to light and will usually hatch out within a 24 hour period. The fry may be fed infusoria, egg yolk or other rotifiers for one to four weeks. Take extreme care when you clean the breeding tank, fry are small and can be lost to the suction. When the fish are big enough they can be placed into the desired tank. About one month after hatching, adult colors will be seen on your new Neon Tetra’s and they will reach breeding maturity at about 6 months.
One of the most popular aquarium fish, Neon Tetras were originally from South American countries including Brazil, Columbia and Peru however most are imported from comercial hatcheries in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This tetra is a clear water fish, and is not found in white water such as river rapids. The fish is transparent except for the color markings, including it’s fins. The blue and red colors may turn grey while the fish is resting or with extended periods of darkness, returning when the fish becomes active for the day. The color may also fade due to stress, like human interaction with the environment, new fish or not enough fish to properly shoal. When the fish is kept in large enough numbers to shoal (six or more) they tend to keep brighter colors. A.D.P. Super R Red Color Enhancer Fish Food will also help to brighten their colors. These small fish have adapted well to captivity and can be kept with other non-aggresive fish such as guppies, other types of tetra’s as well as other types of schooling fish as long as they are not so big as to eat them and have similar habitats as the tetra. They are a social fish, more active and brighter colored when in a shoal. Low light with a thick planting of vegetation suits them best. Remember to always quarantine your fish before adding them to your tank, to prevent the spread of disease. Feeding Most flake food is good for Neon Tetra as long as the flakes are small enough for the fish to eat. Flake food is best when supplemented with brine shrimp, freeze-dried blood worms or tubifex. Frozen blood worms or slowly sinking micro pellets are good also, as these fish are mid feeders. Breeding Neon Tetras have been bred for trade in large numbers, making them one of the most common tropical fish in keeper’s collections. Some estimates are that in one month, up to 1.8 million neon tetra’s are imported to the United States for the hobby, making the breed affordable and available for every collector. In the United States, there are no commercial breeders of the fish for the industry but breeding the fish is an option for the home aquarist. Male and female fish vary slightly in this species, with males having a straight blue line and smaller belly. Place a pair in a separate breeding tank, it is easier to control conditions and to keep other fish in your main tank from eating the eggs or fry. Start with a dark tank, slowly increasing the light and do a 50% water change (this simulates rainfall, part of their natural breeding cycle) to help stimulate breeding. A female may lay up to one hundred eggs during a spawn. Remove the adults as soon as eggs are laid to prevent the adults from feeding on the newly hatched fry. The eggs are especially sensitive to light and will usually hatch out within a 24 hour period. The fry may be fed infusoria, egg yolk or other rotifiers for one to four weeks. Take extreme care when you clean the breeding tank, fry are small and can be lost to the suction. When the fish are big enough they can be placed into the desired tank. About one month after hatching, adult colors will be seen on your new Neon Tetra’s and they will reach breeding maturity at about 6 months. 
Common Tetra
Family: Charicidae
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon Innesi
Common name: Neon Tetra
Natural Habitat: Clear water, also called Black Water
Description:
Silver-white abdomen under a light blue stripe from nose to adiopose fin. A red stripe under the blue stripe beginning mid-body and running to the caudal fin. Transparent body and fins.
Mature Size: 1.2 inches (3cm)
Longevity: 5 to 10 years
Social Temperament: Schooling, Mild
Recommended Tank Size: 2 feet and up
Water Requirements:
Very soft, acidic water 70-81 (F) with a PH of 6.0-7.8 and KH of 1-2
Feeding Tetras: Omnivorous, will eat most flake foods
Health Problems:
Sensitive to any dramatic changes in environment. Can be afflicted by “Neon Tetra Disease” (NTD)
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Where to Buy Online:
Further Reading:
The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums
Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies
KollerCraft API Aquaview 360 Aquarium Kit with LED Lighting and Internal Filter, 2-Gallon