Product Details

Albino Neon Tetra – Paracheirodon innesi

The Albino Neon Tetra is a pale captive-bred colour form of the classic Neon Tetra, selected for reduced dark pigment and a softer, lighter appearance. As a strain of Paracheirodon innesi, it remains a peaceful shoaling fish for mature planted aquariums. Small, colourful and gentle, this fish looks best in groups where its red body colour, pale blue sheen and albino eyes can be seen moving together through the aquarium.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Albino Neon Tetra
Other Names: Albino Neon, Albino Neon Fish, Albino Neon Tetra Fish, White Neon Tetra, Neon Tetra
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Wild Paracheirodon innesi is native to South America, where it is associated with blackwater and clearwater stream tributaries of the Solimões River. These habitats are typically soft, acidic, shaded and rich in plant material, roots, leaf litter and submerged cover.

The Albino Neon Tetra is a captive-bred aquarium strain, so its pale body and red or pinkish eyes are ornamental traits rather than a separate wild locality. Aquarium care should still reflect the species’ preference for mature, stable water, shaded cover and peaceful surroundings.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Albino Neon Tetras have the familiar slender Neon Tetra body shape, but with reduced dark pigment. The body is usually pale cream, silver-white or translucent, with a softer red lower rear body and a faint blue or pearly sheen along the flank. The eyes are typically red or pinkish due to the albino trait.

Adults usually reach around 3–4 cm. Females are often slightly fuller-bodied than males, especially when mature, while males are usually slimmer.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a peaceful shoaling fish for mature tropical community aquariums, planted displays and small South American-style setups. Albino Neon Tetras suit aquariums with fine-leaved plants, mosses, wood, floating plants, shaded areas and open swimming space at the front.

They are not suitable for brand-new aquariums, aggressive communities, large predators, very hard-water livebearer setups or tanks with boisterous fish that may outcompete or intimidate them.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 75–90 litres or more are preferred for bigger shoals and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 8, with 10 or more preferred. Larger groups are more confident, show better behaviour and create a more natural display.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 20–26°C
pH: 5.5–7.2
Hardness: Soft preferred; adaptable to moderately hard water if stable
Additional Notes: Neon Tetras prefer clean, stable water and should only be added to mature aquariums. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness. Captive-bred Albino Neon Tetras may adapt to a slightly wider range than wild fish, but they still do best away from very hard, alkaline conditions.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Albino Neon Tetras are peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other small peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids with care, honey gouramis and other calm fish that will not view them as food.

Avoid large angelfish, predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping barbs, very boisterous feeders and hard-water specialists. They should not be kept singly, in pairs or in very small groups, as this can make them nervous and reduce natural shoaling behaviour.

Feeding:

Albino Neon Tetras are small omnivores and need suitably fine foods. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets or small soft granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm.

Feed small portions that are eaten quickly. A varied diet helps maintain colour, body condition and activity.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims in the middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal through plants and open areas. In larger groups, Albino Neon Tetras are more confident and their pale bodies can create a bright, shimmering display under aquarium lighting.

Neon Tetras are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.

Care Notes:

Add Albino Neon Tetras only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium with stable water quality. Provide plant cover, shaded areas and peaceful tank mates. Avoid mixing them with fish large enough to swallow them. Take care during acclimation, as small tetras can be sensitive to sudden water changes after transport.

The albino colour form can look more delicate than the standard Neon Tetra, and individual fish may vary in red intensity, body translucency and eye colour.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Captive-bred colour strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, body colour, red intensity, blue sheen, eye colour and markings can occur between individual fish.