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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
A tiny, glowing schooling fish that looks best in groups of six or more in a planted tank.
1.5 in5–8 years
Habitat
Enclosure
10 gal minimum — schools of 6+
Temperature
72–76°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 6.0–7.0, soft
Heating & lighting
Gentle heater with stable temperature. Soft, slightly acidic water, dim lighting and dense plants keep the colors vivid.
Diet
Feed these
- Micro pellets
- Crushed flake food
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Daphnia
Never feed
- Large pellets — too big for their mouths
- Feeder fish
- Untreated tap water (chlorine is lethal)
Small mouth, small stomach — feed tiny amounts twice a day. Their colors fade when stressed or kept in small groups.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Other neon tetras — schools of 6+ Harlequin rasboras Corydoras catfish Guppies
Never house with
Oscar — they're food Angelfish — adults eat neons Goldfish — temperature mismatch Betta — nipping risk in small tanks
Never keep fewer than six — lone tetras get stressed and nippy. Anything with a mouth big enough will eventually eat them.
