Product Details

Neon Tetra – Paracheirodon innesi

The Neon Tetra is one of the most recognisable freshwater aquarium fish, loved for its bright blue stripe, red lower body and peaceful shoaling behaviour. Paracheirodon innesi is a small South American tetra best kept in mature planted aquariums with calm tank mates, soft to moderately soft water and stable conditions. It is colourful and beginner-friendly once settled, but it should not be added to new or unstable aquariums.

Key Identification:

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

Natural Range & Habitat:

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, submerged roots, leaf litter and natural cover.

In the aquarium, Neon Tetras do best in mature planted setups with clean water, shaded areas and open swimming space. Fine-leaved plants, mosses, wood, floating plants and darker décor all help create a calm environment where the shoal can settle and show strong colour.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Neon Tetras have a slim, streamlined body with a bright iridescent blue stripe running from the eye towards the tail. The lower rear half of the body is red, while the belly is pale silver to white. This red stripe is shorter than in Cardinal Tetras, which helps separate the two species.

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 an excellent peaceful shoaling fish for mature tropical community aquariums, planted displays and small South American-style setups. Neon Tetras suit aquariums with gentle tank mates, stable water quality and areas of plant cover.

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 footprint of at least 60 x 30 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 Neon Tetras can 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

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:

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 active shoaling behaviour.

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, Neon Tetras are more confident and create a bright, shimmering display as the blue stripes catch 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 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.

Colour may appear dull after shipping, stress or bright bare shop tanks, but settled fish usually regain strong blue and red colour in a planted aquarium with a proper group.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Usually captive-bred or farmed

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, body shape and markings can occur between individual fish.