This How Do You Care for your Neon Tetras

Neon Tetras

Maximum length: 1.5 inches

Colours: Silver, white, red, and blue (orange and green for other varieties)

Temperature preference: 73 to 79 degrees F, can withstand 68 to 85 degrees F

pH preference: 5 to 7

Hardness preference: Soft

Salinity preference: 1 Tablespoon per 2 to 10 gallons (less when not breeding)

Compatibility: Good

Life span: Up to10 years

Ease of keeping: Easy

Ease of breeding: Moderate if eggs separated from fish

Neons come from soft and acidic water. They do best between 73 and 79 degrees F but can live for short periods with temperatures in the 60's or up into the low 90's. Over the long term, 68 to 82 degrees F will do. They prefer a pH of about 6 but can live in a pH from 5 to 7. While neons can adapt to water with a pH greater than 7, they will not breed in such alkaline water. The water should be clear and clean so frequent water changes are needed. The water should be very soft. Neons eat most flake foods and small live, freeze-dried, and frozen foods. Like most small tropical fish, they really enjoy small live (or frozen or freeze dried) animals like brine shrimp, bloodworms, mosquito larvae, blackworms, etc. Most neons swim in the middle and lower portions of the tank.

Neons can get neon tetra disease caused by the sporazoan Plistophora hypessobryconis. Symptoms include losing color, milky coloration, sluggishness, eratic swimming, jerking movements, separating from the rest of the school, restlessness, weight loss, and a pale area beneath the dorsal fin. Neon tetra disease is said to not be treatable; therefore, quarantine is best to prevent spread of the disease. All infected tanks should be disinfected with bleach (soak them in 5% bleach, rinse, and soak in fresh water with dechlorinator before re- using.)

In sexually mature fish, the females are larger, rounder, and fatter. From above, the female appears wider. There is a rule that some people believe is true and other aquarists say no way it is true. Some say that the male neon tetra has a straight stripe while the female has a crooked one. Once my fish mature, I may be able to add my opinion. This may have to do with a female's egg-laden size distorting the "straightness" of the stripe.

One person whose neons spawned said they did so at about 1.25 inches in size, and the females looked like "little whales."

Neon tetras can begin breeding by about nine months of age. Neons will breed in tanks with other fish but due to the likelihood that the eggs will be eaten, they are most often breed in a small tank with a pair or small group of neons. A few breeders suggest adding 2 teaspoons of salt per 2-5 gallons in the breeding tank (each source I have has a different recommended amount from 1 teaspoon per gallon up to one per 10 gallons). A pH between 5 and 6 as well as very soft water are often necessary for successful breeding. A good breeding temperature is 75 degrees F.

Neons often spawn in the morning. While spawning, neons will chase each other through any plants. While all the neons may spawn in one day, the actual act is done between a pair. The male and female intertwine, and the female may become vertical. Each female produces 60 to 130 eggs all over the plants and ground. The eggs are not sticky. The parents should be removed so they do not eat the eggs. The eggs are light sensitive so keep the developing eggs out of direct light. Eggs are prone to fungus especially in light. The eggs hatch in about a day. After the fry are free-swimming in about four to five days, they can be fed strained egg yolk, infusuria, other microscopic live foods, or Liquifry (which is mostly yolk). Provide subtle lighting over the tank once the fry are swimming so they can see their food. Often, some fry will not survive.

One aquarist whose neon tetras spawned indicated that it may have been triggered by allowing the nitrates to build up in the water and then doing a 50% or so water change. His neons spawned the next day. These neons were fed live brine shrimp too. The pH was about 6.7 and the temperature was about 76 degrees F. Of course, the water was soft (dKH of about 5). Another aquarist says they tried letting the nitrates build up and then did a huge water change, and his neon tetras spawned within a week too.


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Scientific Name Paracheirodon innesi
Common Names Neon Fish
Neon Tetra Care Level Moderate
Size Up to 1.5 inches (4 cm)
pH 5 - 7.5
Temperature 69°F - 79°F (21°C - 26°C)
Water Hardness 1° to 10° dH
Lifespan 5 - 8 years
Origin / Habitat South America
Temperament / Behaviour

Neon Tetras are peaceful tropical fish and best kept in schools of 6 or more.

Breeding / Mating / Reproduction
They are difficult to breed in the home aquarium.

Tank Size10 gallon or larger.

Compatible Tank MatesMany, given their peaceful nature. Avoid keeping with tropical fish large enough to eat them.


Diet / Fish Food ---> Will go after flakes, live and freeze dried foods.

Tank Region ---> Mostly middle to bottom.

Gender---> The male is usually smaller than a female of the same age.