Neon Tetra Care Guide
Paracheirodon innesi · Easy care · 10 gallon minimum
An iconic nano schooling fish with an electric blue-and-red stripe; stunning in a planted tank in groups.
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How big does a neon tetra get?
A neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) reaches about 1.5 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a neon tetra a minimum of 10 gallons, with water at 70–81°F and a pH of 6–7. Keep them in groups of at least 6 — they are shoaling fish and become stressed and washed-out alone. As a easy-care, omnivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a neon tetra with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Platy — 2.5", 10g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
- Corydoras Catfish — 2.5", 20g min
About the neon tetra
The neon tetra is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins, of the order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among freshwater fish hobbyists, with neon tetras being one of the most widely kept tropical fish in the world.
Recommended gear for neon tetras
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