Neon tetra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neon tetra |
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Hyphessobrycon innesi Myers, 1936 |
The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a small, colorful freshwater fish. It belongs to the characin family, which includes many popular aquarium fish. This fish comes from the Amazon basin in South America. It lives in dark "blackwater" and clear "clearwater" streams. Its bright colors help neon tetras see each other in the dark water. These colors also make it a favorite for people who keep fish tanks. Neon tetras are one of the most popular tropical fish in the world!
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Where Do Neon Tetras Live?
Neon tetras are found in the western and northern parts of the Amazon basin. This includes areas in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, and western Brazil. They like water that is between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (20–28°C). They prefer water that is a bit acidic, with a pH between 4 and 7.5.
These fish especially love dark "blackwater" streams. They can also live in clear streams. You won't find them in "whitewater" rivers, which are usually cloudy. Sometimes, neon tetras are introduced to new places, like Singapore and the United States. However, they usually don't start new wild populations there.
What Do Neon Tetras Look Like?
The neon tetra has a light-blue back and a silver-white belly. A shiny blue stripe runs along each side of its body, from its nose to near its tail. It also has a bright red stripe that starts in the middle of its body and goes to its tail. Most of the fish, including its fins, are see-through except for these colorful stripes.
It's a bit hard to tell male and female neon tetras apart. Females usually have a slightly rounder belly. Their blue stripe might look a little bent, while the male's stripe is straighter.
At night, the blue and red stripes can fade to gray or black. This happens when the fish rests. When it becomes active in the morning, its colors brighten up again. This cool color change happens because neon tetras can adjust their shiny stripes based on how much light there is. They do this using tiny crystals in their cells that reflect light! A neon tetra grows to be about 1.5 inches (4 cm) long.
Why Are Neon Tetras So Popular?
The neon tetra was first brought from South America in 1936. A scientist named George S. Myers officially described it. It quickly became one of the most popular fish for home aquariums. About 2 million neon tetras are sold in the U.S. every month!
Most neon tetras sold today are raised on fish farms in Southeast Asia. Some are still caught in the wild in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. These farm-raised fish help meet the huge demand from fish lovers around the world.
Keeping Neon Tetras in an Aquarium
Neon tetras are fairly easy to care for in a fish tank. They can live for up to ten years, but usually live about two to three years in a home aquarium.
They need a tank that is at least 10 gallons (about 38 liters). The water temperature should be between 72 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit (22–24°C). The water's pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
Neon tetras are "shoaling fish," which means they like to swim in groups. You should keep at least six of them together. They will be even happier and more active in groups of eight to twelve or more! It's best to keep them in a tank with lots of plants. This helps the tank feel more like their natural home in the Amazon.
What Do Neon Tetras Eat?
Neon tetras are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat. They will eat most small flake foods. You should also give them small live or frozen foods. Good choices include brine shrimp, daphnia, or freeze-dried bloodworms. Small sinking pellets are also great. Many of these pellets have ingredients that help bring out the bright colors of your neon tetras.
How Do Neon Tetras Reproduce?
Breeding neon tetras in a home aquarium can be a bit tricky. They need very dim lighting and specific water conditions to lay eggs. The water needs to be very soft, slightly acidic (around pH 5.5), and about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24°C). It also helps if the water has a lot of tannins, which come from things like driftwood.
Neon tetras are old enough to breed when they are about 12 weeks old. Even though it's hard for hobbyists, many fish farms successfully breed them. This is why most neon tetras sold today come from farms, not from the wild.
Common Health Issues
Neon tetras can sometimes get a disease called "neon tetra disease" (NTD). It's caused by a tiny parasite. This disease is usually very serious and often fatal. However, it's also generally preventable.
Signs of NTD include restlessness, losing color, bumps on the body, trouble swimming, and a curved spine. Other infections like fin rot can also appear. There's also a "false neon disease" caused by bacteria, which looks very similar. It's hard to tell the difference without special lab tests.
The best way to deal with NTD is to quickly remove any sick fish from the tank. This helps protect the other fish. Keeping the tank clean and providing good water conditions are the best ways to prevent this disease.
Other Similar Fish
There are a few other fish that look similar to the neon tetra.
- The green neon tetra (P. simulans) looks a lot like the regular neon tetra but has a greener tint.
- The black neon tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is a different type of fish altogether, even though it has "neon" in its name.
- The cardinal tetra (P. axelrodi) is very similar to the neon tetra. The main difference is that the cardinal tetra has more red color along its underside, extending further forward than on the neon tetra.
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- Project Piaba
Images for kids
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A group of neon tetras swimming together.
