红绿灯 · Neon Tetra

Overview

The familiar neon tetra, Paracheirodon innesi, combines a bright lateral stripe with red markings on a small body. Healthy specimens are manageable aquarium residents, but commercial stock varies in quality. Examine body shape and behavior carefully before choosing a group.

Distribution & habitat

Records come from Amazonian Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, although the full range remains unresolved. Forest creeks and smaller tributaries are more characteristic habitats than muddy main channels. Many sites contain acidic, mineral-poor brown water, with roots, branches, and fallen leaves providing structure. Clear-water populations are also known.

Aquarium setup

A shaded layout with sand, branching wood, and suitable plants gives the fish shelter. Floating vegetation can soften illumination. Dried leaves add cover and support microorganisms that small fry may graze on. Farm-raised neons generally tolerate aquarium conditions more readily than wild stock.

Diet & feeding

The natural diet is thought to include both animal and plant material. Although prepared foods are accepted, vary them with small frozen or live offerings, including bloodworms and water fleas.

Behaviour & compatibility

Plan for a mixed-sex shoal numbering at least eight to ten. Other schooling fish can help the group settle. Suitable companions include similarly sized tetras and small, peaceful catfish; any cichlid companions should be chosen for their lack of predatory behavior.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult females tend to exceed males slightly in size and have a fuller outline, particularly around the abdomen.

Breeding

A separate, darkened aquarium makes it easier to protect the spawn. Provide fine vegetation or a spawning mop, or use a mesh barrier that allows eggs to fall beyond the adults' reach. Gentle sponge filtration is sufficient. Condition breeders with small live foods; either groups or selected pairs can be used.

Remove adults after spawning because exposed eggs may be eaten. Hatching generally follows within 24–36 hours, and swimming begins another three to four days afterward. Start with microscopic foods, then increase prey size to microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp. Keep eggs and early fry shielded from light. Breeding calls for soft, acidic water and should be planned separately from routine maintenance.

Notes

Restlessness, isolation, or pale patches warrant caution when buying fish. Advanced microsporidian neon tetra disease is extremely difficult to treat, but bacterial illness can produce a similar appearance. Symptoms alone do not identify the cause.

Compared with the cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi), the neon has less extensive red coloration and a narrower blue stripe that ends farther forward.