FishBaseHQ

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons

The default school. They want a group of six-plus, dim light, and tankmates that will not eat a 1.5-inch fish. A 10-gallon is the floor, not the dream.

The default midwater school.

In the tank

  • A group of six-plus fills the middle of a 20 long so the tank does not look empty.
  • Peaceful with similarly small fish and most shrimp.
Water
freshwater
Temperament
Peaceful
Swims
Midwater
Adult size
1.5 in
Minimum tank
10 gal
Group
School of 6+
Temperature
70–81°F
pH
6.0–7.5
Diet
Micro pellets, crushed flakes, frozen baby brine and daphnia.
Beginner
Yes, if the tank is cycled

How to keep them

  • Dim light and plants. They fade against bright bare sand.
  • A 10-gallon is the floor for a small school, not the dream.

Tankmates

Ember tetras, rasboras, corys, small rasboras, cherry shrimp in a planted tank.

Avoid

Angelfish once adult, large cichlids, and anything that hunts 1.5-inch fish.

Check tankmates · Stocking calculator

Same group