Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Also known as Neon
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tiny, electric blue and red schooling fish that made fishkeeping famous. It settles well in a calm, planted community of similar-sized fish. Mass-bred stock can be delicate, so buy healthy fish, add them to a fully cycled tank, and always keep a proper school together.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 14 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 70–77 °F
- pH
- 4–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 fish
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Neon Tetra care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Add them only to a mature tank. Newly cycled tanks often lose neons in the first few weeks.
- Avoid fish large enough to swallow them, including adult angelfish and big gouramis.
- Quarantine new fish. Mass-bred neons can carry neon tetra disease, which has no reliable cure.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons.
Neon Tetra tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Trichopsis pumila
Corydoras aeneus
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Trichopodus leerii
Pearl Gourami is much larger than Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Common tank-mate questions
Compare
Neon Tetra feeding and care
How to feed
- Offer small flakes or micro pellets that fit their tiny mouths.
- Add baby brine shrimp or daphnia for stronger color.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature females are noticeably rounder in the body and a little larger than males.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Characidae
- Native to
- Solimões River tributaries, South America
- Adult size
- 1.2 in (3 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Neon Tetra FAQ
What size tank do Neon Tetras need?
Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons (54 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Neon Tetras should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Neon Tetras?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Honey Gourami. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Swordtail.
How long do Neon Tetras live?
Care guides report about 3–5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why are my neon tetras dying?
New tanks are the usual cause, along with poor shipping stress. Check that the tank is fully cycled, test the water, and quarantine any new fish before adding them.
Where to buy Neon Tetra
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
We have not found a store that sells Neon Tetra under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 14 US gallons (54 L), 60 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.