Myleus schomburgkii Disk Tetra One of the larger tetras reaching up to 16 inches 42 cm in size as adults. Hyphessobrycon amandae Ember Tetra Only gets to about an inch in size so it's one of the smaller tetras.

Nematobrycon palmeri Emperor Tetra Has some nice colors and looks really good in a planted aquarium.

Hemigrammus erythrozonus Glowlight Tetra Has an orange or red strip running horizontally along its sides. Has a good reputation amongst hobbyists as being quite hardy.

Hemigrammus rodwayi Gold Tetra Gold Tetras are slightly delicate, so should be added to an established tank with stable water parameters. Paracheirodon simulans Green Neon Tetra Looks very similar to the more common Neon Tetra see below.

Hemigrammus ocellifer Head and Tail Light Tetra A peaceful little tetra that also does well in schools like most tetras. Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis Lemon Tetra A tetra, like others that needs to be kept in schools of 6 or more.

A 10 gallon tank but preferably larger is needed. Paracheirodon innesi Neon Tetra Has to be one of the most popular of the tetras. This freshwater fish is a very pretty blue and red and appears iridescent.

Take your time when acclimating this fish to your tank. Thayeria boehlkei Penguin Tetra Has a lot of common names including the Blackline Tetra, the Penguinfish and the Hockey Stick Tetra.

Pygocentrus nattereri Piranha Check with your local laws before getting a Piranha. Some municipalities have banned the sale of the Piranha. Pristella maxillaris Pristella Tetra Can be considered a good tetra for the freshwater fish beginner due to its hardy and peaceful nature.

Piaractus brachypomum Red Belly Pacu The Pacu gets way too big for most home aquariums and is then sometimes released into local waterways. Do not release fish into your local water ways! If you have access to fresh, live food, your Tetras will thank you for adding these to their diet.

Feed them the occasional live insects and worms for protein and minerals. You can also feed them live daphnia and brine shrimp as an alternative to frozen food.

However, Tetras are notorious for being difficult to breed in captivity. Still, there are some fish keepers who have been able to breed their Tetras at home. Tetras are neither difficult to condition for breeding nor reluctant to lay eggs in an aquarium. However, if you want to increase your chances of successfully raising the fish fry into adults, then you will need to prepare a dedicated breeding tank that is separate from the home or community tank.

This will provide your breeding pair with space and peace to lay their eggs. Later on, this same breeding tank can be converted into a fish fry tank where the Tetra fry can grow without being preyed on or harassed by other tankmates. Your chosen Tetra breeding pair should be at the peak of their health.

Both the male and female fish should have clean scales, bright eyes, and a vigorous appetite. Introduce the female Tetra into the breeding tank first , followed by the male Tetra.

Keep the tank in a dim place and try not to disturb them except during feeding time. Once your breeding tank is home to fertilized eggs, move the breeding pair back into the home tank as soon as possible. This will prevent the Tetra parents from eating their own eggs. The first week of the newly-hatched Tetra fry is the most crucial.

This is when the fry will learn to eat live food on their own. Due to their tiny size, Tetra fry cannot feed on most commercial fry food or even live food like microworms. If you only have access to commercial fry food, be sure to crush the food into an almost crumb-like consistency.

Alternatively, you can also feed the Tetra fry green water. If you do not have green water on hand, you can also use the sponge filter as a source of food for the fry. After a few days, the Tetra fry will be ready to accept infusoria.

Feed them regularly and keep their tank in a dimly lit place. You can transfer the grown Tetra fry to their home tank once they are big enough that other fish will be unable to eat them.

As you now know, Tetras are incredibly amazing fish. They bring life and fun to well-planned aquariums, and most Tetra breeds make a great introduction for fish keepers who are new to the hobby. Here are the key discussion points of the article:.

With this knowledge, you can now confidently go out and choose Tetras to bring home and add to your home aquarium. So what are you waiting for? Try your hand at raising Tetras and witness these tiny treasures bring pops of color to your home tank.

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Author Recent Posts. Patrice Chandler. With more than 15 years in the fishkeeping industry , I have set up, maintained, and tweaked hundreds of aquarium setups and models, each experience teaching me something new and valuable. As a graduate in animal welfare, I have also been involved with major associations in the field Assn of Zoos and Aquariums , MASNA.

Latest posts by Patrice Chandler see all. Horseface Loach Care Guide, Tank Setup, and More - February 14, Zebra Cichlid: Your Guide to Perfect Care, Maintenance and Breeding - February 14, Serpae Tetras Not Eating: Exploring Effective Solutions - February 14, JUMP TO TOPIC Stats Tiny Tetras and Their Origin Tetra Fish: Stats and Facts Tailoring a Tank Fit for Tetras Types of Tetras Tetra Diet and Care Breeding Tetras in Captivity Conclusion.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR. Horseface Loach Care Guide, Tank Setup, and More. Zebra Cichlid: Your Guide to Perfect Care, Maintenance and Breeding.

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How Long Can African Dwarf Frogs Hold Their Breath and Why? LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply. The majority of neon tetras come from the Far East and Eastern Europe, where they are commonly cultivated. There are currently several different variations of specimens that have been produced in captivity.

Some examples include the long-finned neon tetra which is extremely unusual , the golden neon tetra which seems to be semi-albino , and the diamond neon tetra whose upper body is covered in metallic scales. Neon tetras prefer to dwell in water with a lot of flora and roots. Providing an environment with several low-light hiding spots is essential for this specie to thrive.

Plants like Hornwort and Java Moss can be used to decorate your neon tank. As a result of these plants, neon-tetra habitats are shaded and private, just what these fish need. Using driftwood as a hiding spot for the fish is also an option.

Choosing the right substrate for neon tetras isn't nearly as crucial as for bottom-dwelling fish, such as cichlids and goldfish. However, a dark substrate, such as black sand, will make your neon tetra feel at home and will show off the fish's wonderful neon colors.

The neon tetra's natural environment has low light levels, which may be simulated by darkening three sides of the aquarium's glass paneling. Neon Tetras are generally hardy fish that can be kept in community tanks with smaller non-aggressive species.

Neon tetras are generally a long-lived species. While some aquarists have reported they live up to 10 years, the average lifespan of neon tetras is closer to years.

This is just an average, however; some fish can live longer than that, and others die after only a few months. Neon tetras are a little bit difficult to breed and it can be tricky to raise the fry successfully due to their small size which makes them vulnerable to predation from larger tank mates or other fish species.

The fry grows very quickly so it is important that they have enough food available at all times or else they may starve before they have time to develop properly. The best way to get the Neon Tetra to spawn is by keeping them in a small tank that can be placed in a dark place such as a closet.

The water temperature should be around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH level should be around 6. The tank should have plenty of hiding spots for the male and female to feel safe when they are not mating, but there should also be open space for them to swim around in so that they can find each other more easily.

Before placing the breeding couple in the breeding tank, feed them live meals to prepare them. Start with absolutely no illumination in the tank when you put the breeding couple in there for the first time. To encourage spawning, gradually raise the lighting level the next day.

At this time of day, females are most likely to mate. During spawning, the male will clasp the female and then release more than eggs.

Transparent and slightly sticky, the eggs will adhere to plants. As soon as the eggs are deposited, the breeding couple should be separated since they can devour the eggs very rapidly.

The eggs and fry are both vulnerable to high levels of light. In around 24 hours, the eggs will hatch, releasing small fry that will feed on their egg sacks for a few days. Hatch rates are low, therefore only about a third of the eggs will hatch into fry.

When the fry is three to four days old, they will be able to swim on their own, and they will need to be given very small meals.

Soon, they'll be big enough to eat fresh brine shrimp. The fry will begin to show its beautiful and amazing hues after the first month. Neon Tetras are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant material and animal matter.

In the wild, they feed on algae and other types of plant matter that grow on rocks and other submerged surfaces. They will also consume insect larvae and any invertebrates that they can catch in their mouths.

They will also eat some types of live foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, daphnia, and tubifex worms. You should feed your neon tetras a variety of animal and plant-based meals to recreate their natural habitat diet.

A good diet for neon tetras consists mainly of flake food with some frozen or freeze-dried blood worms added to it once or twice per week.

You should also include high-quality tropical fish flakes as part of their diet since this will help promote their growth rate and overall health.

Put your primary emphasis on Daphnia as a live food as well as NorthFin foods such as Flake, Veggie, and Community formula.

Take care to include enough plant items in the diets of neon tetras. The fish can receive algae wafers as well as fruits and vegetables as often as three times a week.

Neon tetras need to be fed twice a day for the first six months of their lives. To maintain good water quality, feed the tetras for two minutes, then discard any uneaten food. Neon tetras can become ill if they are overfed, so keep to a feeding plan and don't overfeed your fish.

Neon tetras come in many different varieties including black neon tetras, blue neon tetras, red neon tetras, green neon tetras, and so on. Each variety has its unique coloration which makes them all appealing to aquarists who want something different than just another standard neon tetra type fish in their tank!

The neon tetra has a streamlined body.

In the wild, neon tetras live in tropical flowing waters, with dense vegetation that includes floating plants and roots. You should replicate this habitat in the tank by providing low-light hiding places for your neon tetra.

Decorate your neon tetra tank with floating plants like hornwort and Java moss. These plants create shady, secluded hideaways that neon tetras enjoy. Driftwood can also be used to provide hiding places for the fish. Add neon tetras to a fully-mature tank to ensure the fish thrive in their environment.

In poor tank conditions or stressful environments, neon tetras are prone to several common aquarium diseases:. Neon tetra disease is so-called because the disease was first identified in neon tetras.

Caused by a Microsporidian parasite, neon tetra disease causes restlessness, loss of coloration, cysts, difficulty swimming, and, in advanced cases, a curved spine. The parasite that causes neon tetra disease spreads when fish eat infected live foods.

There is no known cure for neon tetra disease, so you should remove all affected fish from the tank to prevent the disease from spreading to the entire tank population. Ich , otherwise called ick or white spot disease, is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.

Fish with ich have white, salt-like spots on their bodies, tails, and fins, and rub their bodies against rough surfaces to relieve the itching.

To treat ich , quarantine the affected fish in a separate tank. Add one tablespoon of salt per five gallons of water to the tank and increase the water temperature by two degrees.

Neon tetras housed in poor water conditions are at risk of developing fin rot and tail rot. Treat fin rot by carrying out a complete water change and using antibiotics if recommended by your veterinarian. Neon tetras are peaceful and passive, making them suitable tank mates for a variety of fish species.

Similarly-sized, bottom-dwelling, non-aggressive fish can be added to a community tank with neon tetras. Neon tetras are a schooling species, so make sure your neon tetras are housed in groups of six or more before considering other fish species for the tank.

In the wild, neon tetras are omnivores, eating a varied diet of meat and fish. Good-quality fish flakes that are fortified with vitamins and minerals are a staple food to feed neon tetras. Several times per week, feed neon tetras live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

Cut live food into small pieces to prevent the neon tetras from having problems swallowing the food. Make sure your neon tetras get enough plant foods in their diet. Feed the fish algae wafers, grapes, cucumbers, and strawberries up to three times per week.

From six months old, neon tetras should be fed twice a day. Provide enough food for the tetras to eat for two minutes, then discard the uneaten food to maintain good water quality. Breeding neon tetras is difficult because specific water parameters are required to trigger mating.

Experienced aquarists will have more luck than will beginners with breeding these fish in a home aquarium. Neon tetras are peaceful, hardy fish that are suitable for beginners and experienced aquarists. You should get a neon tetra for your aquarium if you have a freshwater tank with enough room for a school of at least six fish.

As long as neon tetras are kept in peaceful community tanks with the right water conditions, the fish will thrive in a home aquarium. I have 2 cuckoo catfish and a red tail shark who is 5 inches and have never had a problem with him eating or being aggressive with my fish.

I bought 7 neons for a 6 gal tank. The following day all but one died. I did 6 hrs after shipment arrived. What could be the cause? Hi Joseph, have you cycled your tank for at least 4 weeks before adding any fish?

i cycled my tank for about 2 weeks and the tetra seems fine to the though? or maybe the soil creates PH level over the limit? my old fishes almost died when i 1st added in the soil without filtering them 1 week early. I have had? Everyone seems to be happy except that the neon tetras seem to have disappeared completely.

What type of Gouramis are you keeping? It is possible that some species are not compatible with your Tetras. Thanks, Robert. I have 10 tetras with my betta and some ghost shrimp. Everyone is happy and all of them get along.

This is good to hear. I have 1 female betta and 3 ghost shrimp in a 5. I just added 3 neon tetras and so far so good. Does Neon Tetra is Good with Gold Fish I like it; But always I see that neon tetra get lost. Whilst Neon Tetras can live in cooler waters, they prefer warm tropical waters.

I bought a used mudded tank that had been shut down and low and behold it had one male and female in it living in the algae infested tank much to the sellers surprise.

I quarantined the fish for a week and within 24 hrs of going in the tank they laid a clutch of eggs on my sponge filters…not knowing while I was out picking up 2 more neons they had laid eggs…question is how big do fry have to be before I can put them in with mom and dad fish?

Again the new two also when should I introduce them back in with the younger fish? Can you keep a smaller amount of tetras in a 2 gallon tank? Like 5 neon tetras?

or is that number too small? I bought a 5 gallon tank. Water is cycling. Is this too small a tank to keep everyone happy? Hi, I have 15 gallon tank with 10 neon tetra. They are happy for past one month.

Suddenly one neon tetra looks bloated than usual, his eyes are popping out and not taking food. Is that a disease? Suggestions required to save him. Status: Failed in Colorado. Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range.

The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made. Remarks: The hot springs area is at an altitude of 8, ft and has very cold winters, but Zuckerman personal communication suggested that some of the introduced species might spread downstream during warmer months and reach other thermal refugia.

Specimen s were reportedly deposited with the U. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, Colorado; however, we have been unable to locate the material.

References : click for full references Géry, J. Characoids of the world. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc. Other Resources: US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Paracheirodon innesi.

Author: Nico, L. This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U. Geological Survey USGS and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.

Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information. Paracheirodon innesi neon tetra Fishes Exotic Collection Info Point Map Species Profile Animated Map. Guam Saipan. San Luis. Tetras are egg layers, but extra effort is required to separate the adults from the eggs after spawning as many tetras will eat their own eggs.

Tetras tend to spawn in groups. Males typically entice females into thick plant growth, where eggs are deposited and fertilized and hatch in a few days. Care Guide. Tetras Care Guide. Download Printable PDF. Serenity Tetras are schooling fish from the family Characidae. Natural Habitat for Tetras Tetras are found in the Americas and Africa, with the vast majority coming from the Amazon Basin and other river systems of South America.

Tetras Water Requirements While most tetras are found in soft, acidic water in the wild, the majority of aquarium species sold today are raised commercially in water that often has a higher pH and alkalinity than their native environments.

Housing Requirements for Tetras Most tetras can be kept in aquariums of 10 to 20 gallons, but larger tanks are easier to take care of and give them more room to swim.

What Do Tetras Eat? Tetras Breeding Level - Difficult Tetras can be bred in captivity, but it can be difficult to create the correct environment to propagate and raise fry.

The scales have an iridescent sheen, producing tones of purple and turquoise, too. As their name would imply, the Bloodfin Tetra has bright red fins. The color is most concentrated on the tailfin, the anal fin, and the dorsal fin.

You might see some splashes of red on the pelvic fins, too. The Bloodfin Tetra is endemic to the Parańa River Basin in South America. Thus, they prefer warmer waters around 70 degrees. The fish are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, making them an excellent choice for newcomers.

That said, they still require stable waters to truly thrive. The entire head of the fish is covered in bright red. It offers a nice contrast to the rest of the body, which is neutral silver. It has horizontal stripes of clean white and staunch black. This unique combination of colors and patterns make for a very interesting-looking fish!

They should be kept in groups of at least six fish. But if you have a spacious tank, you can add even more! These are schooling fish that will swim together in unison, creating an impressive show. This fish is very passive and easy-going.

With a bit of patience, you can easily induce spawning and raise a healthy population of Rummy Nose Tetras! Found throughout rivers in Colombia, Emperor Tetra is a beautiful species. Their scales produce a deep purple sheen in low-light conditions, giving them the appearance of royalty. The eys are bright metallic green, which pops in the right light conditions.

As you can guess, these fish do best in low-light tanks. They prefer a dark substrate and plenty of hiding places to retreat to during the day.

Dense vegetation, driftwood, and rock caves all work well. As always, Emperor Tetras prefer to stay in groups. You may encounter some fighting between the males. They can get a bit territorial.

Low-maintenance and easy to care for, the Black Neon Tetra is a great option for new and experienced aquarists alike.

They are very similar to their more famous cousin, the Neon Tetra. However, the Black Neon Tetra is covered in much darker tones. The body is primarily black with some dark green undertones.

However, two vivid iridescent stripes create a nice accent as they swim. Black Neon Tetras live in blackwaters in the wild. The water is stained by decaying leaves.

These fish do best in waters that are slightly acidic. pH levels between 5. They also do best when conditions are on the warmer side.

Due to its familiar looks, this fish is most often mistaken for a Neon Tetra. The most notable is the presence of the red stripe these are very colorful fish. For Neon Tetras, the red stripe runs along about half the body. For the Cardinal Tetra, it extends from the gills and runs down to the tail.

For most specimens, the red color even bleeds into the tailfin a bit. Cardinal Tetras are docile and very easy to care for. They do well in groups and will spend most of their time swimming in shoals. Natural decor is best for these fish. They enjoy swimming through plants and getting some shelter from the light.

Also known as the Von Rio Tetra, the Flame Tetra is a standout species with a distinct look. Most of the fish is shiny silver in color. But, the sides take on a bronze orange hue. The lower half has a vibrant splash of red, creating a fire-like appearance.

In the wild, Flame Tetras are usually found in coastal rivers of Brazil. They do best in tanks modeled after their natural habitat. So, you must provide slow-moving water, fine sand substrate, and plenty of plants. They prefer things to be a bit more subdued.

This is great because their coloration tends to pop in low-light conditions. You can improve color even more with a great diet. The Blue Tetra is a cool-colored species that comes from the Amazon River Basin. It has a similar profile and shape as other tetra species that you might be familiar with.

The body is covered in iridescent silver. Accompanying that base color is a bright blue stripe. The stripe is located on the base of the tail and gradually fades out at about the mid-point of the body. When kept in an aquarium with a dark substrate, the color and shimmer of the fish are much more apparent.

Blue Tetras need natural decor and an uncrowded tank to feel safe. Like many other types of tetras, they are peaceful and do best in groups.

When the tank is overcrowded, the fish often gets stressed out and resorts to fin-nipping! Next up, we have the Ruby Tetra. As its name would imply, this fish is predominantly red. Most of the body is light red to pink in color. However, splashes of more vibrant red are found on the dead and tail.

Most specimens also have a small spot of black on the base of the caudal fin. The other fins have a subtle highlight of shimmering blue, giving the fish an eye-catching look. Ruby Tetras are shoaling fish. They group up and stay together for social reasons.

These fish prefer slightly acidic waters. Their natural habitat is stained with tannins, so the acidity of their environment in captivity is important. To truly thrive, water conditions must be pristine. In a well-kept tank, the coloration of this fish will become more vibrant.

Rainbow Tetras are one of the rarer species of the tetra family. This means providing a soft sand substrate, dense vegetation, and some wood branches.

Many owners see success in adding dry leaf litter, too. This acts as another food source for the fish as the leaves decompose. Plus, the leaves release those all-important tannins and other chemicals that benefit the fish. Rainbow Tetras have many colors on their body.

A stripe of brown runs along the entire length of the fish from snout to tail. Subtle splashes of iridescent blue cover the lower part of the body.

In low light, this blue shimmers to give the fish its rainbow-like appearance. But, they also have vibrant spots of yellow. You can find the yellow color on their head, tail, and fins.

Some fish even have a bit of yellow on the eye. Though, most of the eye is bright red. As with other varieties of tetra, Lemons are known for their peaceful disposition. They belong in peaceful community tanks. For the best results, keep a group of six or more Lemon Tetras.

The fish adapt well to a wide range of conditions. They can stay healthy is waters that are between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. While they like slightly acidic conditions, they can tolerate some alkalinity, too.

The Diamond Tetra is built to be the shining star of your tank! Endemic to Lake Valencia in Venezuela, Diamond Tetras do best in tanks with a nature-inspired setup. Make sure to add a lot of different plant species. In aquariums with dense vegetation, these fish will develop intense coloration that stands out.

Speaking of coloration, Diamond Tetras certainly live up to their name. Their bodies are covered in ultra-shiny scales. The scales have an iridescent quality. The fins also have an iridescent shimmer despite being transparent.

Small live frozen or live foods are known to help the fish reach its full color potential. Found in the Rio de la Plata in Argentina, the Buenos Aires Tetra is another species with a lot of colors. At one point, these fish were very popular in the aquarium trade.

That popularity has waned a bit, but you can still easily find these fish from breeders. The reason the Buenos Aires Tetra has fallen out of favor is its behavior. It has a reputation for eating and destroying live plants. The good news is that the species adapts well to life in captivity. The Buenos Aires Tetra has splashes of red, yellow, green, and blue.

The red is found on the pectoral, anal, and caudal fins. Meanwhile, a subtle splash of blue if usually on the dorsal fin.

The most prominent feature is its shimmering stripe of yellow. Running horizontally, the stripe will shine with hints of green depending on your lighting. The Penguin Tetra is a beautiful fish with neutral coloration. Rather than the vibrant tones that you find on many different types of tetras, this species sticks with black and silver.

Most of the body is covered in a shiny silver that catches the light. A thick black stripe breaks up that shimmer. It runs from the gills down to the tail. In most specimens, the stripe will continue down the bottom fork of the tail fin.

These are schooling fish that need a group to stay healthy. Without others, the fish will spend most of its time in hiding.

They do best in groups of six or more. When comfortable, the group will swim in unison. They adapt well to standard freshwater setups.

Plus, they are omnivores that will accept any food you provide. For the best results, provide a varied diet with dry food and live snacks. The Glowlight Tetra is a species that looks best in low-light conditions. The dominant color of the fish is a silvery peach. The color blends in nicely with the surroundings.

However, these fish have a vibrant red stripe that stretches from the head to the tail. The red color glows in the right lighting, making the fish look like a glowing filament. You have to be a bit more careful with Glowlight Tetras when it comes to community planning.

Certain fish, such as Angelfish, are attracted to the glowing appearance of this tetra. They almost always attempt to eat them! Keep tank mates small to avoid any potential accidents. As always, a group of Glowing Tetras is best. Unlike other types of tetras, these fish will not school with fish outside of their species.

Bleeding Heart Tetras are a shy fish that needs others to feel secure. When kept alone, they can get slightly aggressive. Most will start nipping at fins. The stress of being alone can also cause disease and premature death!

To make the fish feel comfortable, you need a group of about half a dozen. A well-decorated tank is a must as well. They prefer dense vegetation and a lot of hiding places.

Rocks, overturned pots, driftwood, and even PVC pipes work well. Unlike other tetras, Bleeding Hearts stay towards the middle and bottom of the water column.

These fish are named after a red spot on their body. Long fins with shades of shimmering pink and white complete their beautiful look.

In the wild, the Redeye Tetra lives in South America. Those waters often become murky with heavy rains, which dramatically changes the water conditions.

They can live in temperatures between 73 and 82 degrees. The fish can tolerate pH levels from an acidic 5. The name of this fish is inspired by its looks.

The most defining feature is its bright red eye. The rest of the body is quite neutral. The fish is predominantly silver. However, they do have a dark black tail with a hint of white at the base. Originally from Paraguay and Brazil, the Black Phantom Tetras are very popular in the aquarium trade.

With its unique name comes a unique look. The fish is mostly dark gray. The long dorsal, anal, and caudal fins take on a darker black color. The fish also has a unique spot behind its gills. These plants create shady, secluded hideaways that neon tetras enjoy.

Driftwood can also be used to provide hiding places for the fish. Add neon tetras to a fully-mature tank to ensure the fish thrive in their environment. In poor tank conditions or stressful environments, neon tetras are prone to several common aquarium diseases:.

Neon tetra disease is so-called because the disease was first identified in neon tetras. Caused by a Microsporidian parasite, neon tetra disease causes restlessness, loss of coloration, cysts, difficulty swimming, and, in advanced cases, a curved spine.

The parasite that causes neon tetra disease spreads when fish eat infected live foods. There is no known cure for neon tetra disease, so you should remove all affected fish from the tank to prevent the disease from spreading to the entire tank population.

Ich , otherwise called ick or white spot disease, is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.

Fish with ich have white, salt-like spots on their bodies, tails, and fins, and rub their bodies against rough surfaces to relieve the itching. To treat ich , quarantine the affected fish in a separate tank. Add one tablespoon of salt per five gallons of water to the tank and increase the water temperature by two degrees.

Neon tetras housed in poor water conditions are at risk of developing fin rot and tail rot. Treat fin rot by carrying out a complete water change and using antibiotics if recommended by your veterinarian.

Neon tetras are peaceful and passive, making them suitable tank mates for a variety of fish species. Similarly-sized, bottom-dwelling, non-aggressive fish can be added to a community tank with neon tetras.

Neon tetras are a schooling species, so make sure your neon tetras are housed in groups of six or more before considering other fish species for the tank. In the wild, neon tetras are omnivores, eating a varied diet of meat and fish.

Good-quality fish flakes that are fortified with vitamins and minerals are a staple food to feed neon tetras. Several times per week, feed neon tetras live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

Cut live food into small pieces to prevent the neon tetras from having problems swallowing the food. Make sure your neon tetras get enough plant foods in their diet. Feed the fish algae wafers, grapes, cucumbers, and strawberries up to three times per week.

From six months old, neon tetras should be fed twice a day. Provide enough food for the tetras to eat for two minutes, then discard the uneaten food to maintain good water quality. Breeding neon tetras is difficult because specific water parameters are required to trigger mating.

Experienced aquarists will have more luck than will beginners with breeding these fish in a home aquarium. Neon tetras are peaceful, hardy fish that are suitable for beginners and experienced aquarists.

You should get a neon tetra for your aquarium if you have a freshwater tank with enough room for a school of at least six fish.

As long as neon tetras are kept in peaceful community tanks with the right water conditions, the fish will thrive in a home aquarium. I have 2 cuckoo catfish and a red tail shark who is 5 inches and have never had a problem with him eating or being aggressive with my fish. I bought 7 neons for a 6 gal tank.

The following day all but one died. I did 6 hrs after shipment arrived. What could be the cause? Hi Joseph, have you cycled your tank for at least 4 weeks before adding any fish? i cycled my tank for about 2 weeks and the tetra seems fine to the though?

or maybe the soil creates PH level over the limit? my old fishes almost died when i 1st added in the soil without filtering them 1 week early. I have had? Everyone seems to be happy except that the neon tetras seem to have disappeared completely. What type of Gouramis are you keeping?

It is possible that some species are not compatible with your Tetras. Thanks, Robert. I have 10 tetras with my betta and some ghost shrimp. Everyone is happy and all of them get along. This is good to hear. I have 1 female betta and 3 ghost shrimp in a 5.

I just added 3 neon tetras and so far so good. Does Neon Tetra is Good with Gold Fish I like it; But always I see that neon tetra get lost.

Whilst Neon Tetras can live in cooler waters, they prefer warm tropical waters. I bought a used mudded tank that had been shut down and low and behold it had one male and female in it living in the algae infested tank much to the sellers surprise.

I quarantined the fish for a week and within 24 hrs of going in the tank they laid a clutch of eggs on my sponge filters…not knowing while I was out picking up 2 more neons they had laid eggs…question is how big do fry have to be before I can put them in with mom and dad fish?

Again the new two also when should I introduce them back in with the younger fish? Can you keep a smaller amount of tetras in a 2 gallon tank? Like 5 neon tetras?

or is that number too small? I bought a 5 gallon tank. Water is cycling. Is this too small a tank to keep everyone happy? Hi, I have 15 gallon tank with 10 neon tetra. They are happy for past one month. Suddenly one neon tetra looks bloated than usual, his eyes are popping out and not taking food.

Is that a disease? Suggestions required to save him. Likely dropsy. i have 13 neons currently with a few penguin tetras, razboras ,corys albino and zebra, black neon tetras and some bristle nose albino and lemon blue eyes in my 40 gallon they all get along but have found i cycled for 6 weeks and added water softners and stability but that day there was a water boil advisories for my tap in my community due to water main repairs.

For got to check for ammonia got rocked there sadly so the first 10 tetras i had added dropped to 3. Moral of the story is make sure you check water advisories before using tap or get bottled also my levels currently are safe i treated for everything got back to within excellent parameters.

All of the fish i have listed are very happy currently. I feed them a combination of flakes 2 different types that i have mixed to get a very good well balanced diet for color, strength, and energy, also mixed in ground brine shrimp. I got the algae waffers for my plecos and cory cats seem to love them as well i found that interesting.

I would however like more pointers on breeding a what would be a proper setup for that. I have a 3 gallon tank that recommends tetra. Would I be able to keep 5 in a 3 gal?

If not, is 4 an ok number for tetra? Also what does it mean to have a mature tank? Do I just turn on the filter and keep it on with no fish for a couple weeks? I just got 5 tetras to hopefully include them in my 5-gallon betta tank.

From the research I have done on other sites and forums, it is okay if you have practice working with smaller aquariums, you have to be vigilant with watching the water and fish. The tetras will be happier in a larger tank though, as they are active swimmers.

A mature tank is a tank that has been cycled with a filter for at least a month and has gone through the nitrate cycle and established the bacteria in the tank. I have a 55 gallon tank that I have 6 neon, 5 ember and 5 red eye tetras and 2 snails.

I plan on adding more but I am trying to have a balanced plant to fish tank so I am trying to take it slow.

I have 15 marimo moss balls which have grown larger and darker green. Also Java fern,Amazon sword, and several other plants so far. I plan to add Java moss soon. I have a large castle in the center with most of the plants on both sides except the moss balls.

I noticed that most of the fish do not seem to swim in schools but alone or with just one or two companions. I plan on add more of each type of fish. I keep my tetras 10 pcs in 16 gallon community tank with few endler guppies and dwarf shrimps. Do you think the eggs will survive???

Thank in advance. Cheers, Sabina. Thank you in advance. Should I remove him? We have bought neon tetras and both times they developed Ice and died. We did quarantine them for a few days before introducing them into the 65 gal tank.

We removed them as soon as we noticed the ick and put them into another tank that is healthy. They have to date mostly died. What is up with this?

We have other fish that are fine.