Product Details

Neon Tetra Diamond – Paracheirodon innesi

The Neon Tetra Diamond is a captive-bred ornamental form of the classic Neon Tetra, selected for extra sparkle and reflective “diamond” scaling around the head or upper body. As a form of Paracheirodon innesi, it remains a peaceful shoaling tetra for mature planted aquariums. Small, colourful and active, this fish looks best in groups where its blue stripe, red lower body and metallic highlights can be seen moving together through the aquarium.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Neon Tetra Diamond
Other Names: Diamond Neon Tetra, Diamond Head Neon Tetra, Neon Tetra, Neon Fish
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 Diamond Neon Tetra is a captive-bred aquarium strain, so its extra reflective scaling is an ornamental trait 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:

Diamond Neon Tetras have the familiar slender Neon Tetra body shape, with a bright blue lateral stripe, red lower rear body and pale silver belly. The diamond form usually shows extra reflective or metallic scaling around the head, shoulder or upper back, creating a brighter sparkling effect under aquarium lighting.

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. Diamond 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 colour and display more natural shoaling behaviour.

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 Diamond 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

Diamond 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 behaviour.

Feeding:

Diamond 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, Diamond Neon Tetras are more confident and the reflective head markings create a sparkling effect as the fish turn under the light.

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 Diamond 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 diamond marking can vary between individuals, with some fish showing stronger sparkle around the head or shoulder than others.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Captive-bred ornamental 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, blue stripe intensity, red colour, diamond scaling, body shape and markings can occur between individual fish.