COMMON NAMES: Neon tetra, neon fish SCIENTIFIC NAME: Paracheirodon innesi ADULT SIZE: 1.5 inches (4 centimetres) LIFE EXPECTANCY: 5 years Characteristics Family Characidae Origin Southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, western Brazil Minimum Tank Size 10 gallon Diet Omnivore Breeding Egg scatterer Care Intermediate pH 7 Hardness Up to 10 dGH Temperature 68 to 79 F (20 to 26 C) Origin and Distribution Neon tetras originated from the clear water and blackwater streams and tributaries in the Orinoco and Amazon basin in Brazil, Columbia, and Peru. These are regions of blackwaters beneath dense forest canopies that allow very little light to get through. Neon tetras live in shoals mainly in the middle water layers and feed on worms and small crustaceans. Neon Tetras are now generally all captive-bred. Several varieties of captive-bred specimens are now available. These include the long-finned neon tetra, though it is rather rare, as well as a golden strain that is basically a semi-albino variety, and a diamond neon tetra that appears sprinkled with metallic scales along the top portion of the body. Colours and Markings The neon tetra has a slender torpedo-shaped body that reaches no more than an inch and a half in length. What this fish lacks in size, it makes up for in colour. From the tip of its nose to the adipose fin, the neon tetra has a bright neon blue stripe. It is believed this bright stripe makes them more readily visible to each other in blackwater conditions. Below the blue stripe, the neon tetra sports a white-silver belly. Past the belly, a bright red stripe extends all the way to the tail. This red white and blue combination makes the neon tetra one of the most popular of all aquarium fish. It is rivalled only by its cousin, the cardinal tetra. The key difference between the two fish is the red stripe. In the neon tetra, it only extends from the middle of the body to the tail. In the cardinal tetra, the red stripe runs the entire length of the fish, from snout to tail. Like other colourful fish, the bright colours of the neon tetra will fade at night when it is resting, if it becomes alarmed, or when it is ill. At the fish store choose specimens that are active and robustly coloured, as faded colours can be an indication of poor health. Always keep neon tetras in groups of 6 or more.
