Neon tetra

Overview

The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is the classic community-tank fish — a tiny silver body split by an electric-blue stripe and a red flash toward the tail. In a proper shoal, twenty neons drifting together under gentle lighting is one of the most striking sights in the hobby. They’re peaceful, inexpensive and easy to feed, which is exactly why they’re so often bought badly: in twos and threes, dropped into a brand-new tank. Give them a group and a mature aquarium and they thrive.

Tank & water

Neons are small but need swimming room and, above all, numbers. Aim for:

• A cycled tank of at least 54 litres — always cycle the aquarium first and add neons only once it’s stable. See how many fish in an aquarium before you stock.
• Temperature 22–26 °C via a reliable heater. Neons actually prefer the cooler end of the tropical range.
• Soft, slightly acidic water (pH 5.5–7.0). Gentle filtration keeps parameters steady without a strong current.
• A planted, shaded layout — dark substrate and live plants make their colours pop and give them cover.

Feeding

Neons are omnivores with tiny mouths. A quality micro-pellet or tropical flake crushed small forms the staple, topped up with frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp and micro-worms. Feed a small pinch once or twice a day — only what they clear in a couple of minutes. Browse fish food options for suitable small-grain foods.

Tankmates

Peaceful and tiny, neons suit calm community tanks. Good companions include other small tetras, cardinal tetras, ember tetras, corydoras, small rasboras and dwarf shrimp. Avoid large or boisterous fish, fin-nippers, and anything big enough to see a neon as a snack — a full-grown betta or angelfish may eat them. Keep the shoal strong and they’ll spend their days out in the open.

Set up an established, planted tank — our best aquarium for beginners and best nano aquarium guides are a good start — and neons are a lively, long-lived centrepiece shoal.