Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Family: Characidae • Origin: South America
The Neon Tetra is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. Their iridescent blue and red stripe makes a school of neons stunning in any planted tank.
Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
1.5"
Temperature
70-81°F
pH
6-7
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
2-10 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Keep in groups of 6 or more
- • Prefers soft, slightly acidic water
- • Provide plants for cover
- • Avoid large tankmates
- • Sensitive to sudden water changes
Feeding: Flakes, micro pellets, frozen brine shrimp and daphnia.
Compatibility Notes: Avoid large or aggressive fish. Keep in groups of 6+.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 70–81°F
- pH Range
- 6–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–10
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Avoid large or aggressive fish. Keep in groups of 6+.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
10 galloncommunitybeginnersplanted tank
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
74-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Lemon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
73-82°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"