Green Neon Tetra

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment3–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Swim bladder disorder

The Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) comes from the Rio Negro and Orinoco blackwater systems and reaches only about 2 to 2.5 cm, making it the smallest of the three Paracheirodon species. Compared with the true neon it is slimmer, its blue-green line runs the full length of the body, and the red is reduced to a short smudge near the tail. It needs a shoal of twelve or more, which suits a 45 litre tank or larger, at 26-29C, warmer than most community fish, in soft acidic water at pH 4.5 to 6.5, tinted with leaf litter and dimly lit. Feed very small foods: crushed flake, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp and frozen cyclops. It is genuinely less forgiving than the standard neon and does poorly in hard alkaline water, where it fades and lives a short life. In a blackwater tank with warm, soft, tannin-stained water it is spectacular, shoals tightly and is one of the finest nano fish available. Keep it with pygmy corys, small rasboras and shrimp.

• How active is a Green Neon Tetra?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Green Neon Tetra need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Green Neon Tetra need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Green Neon Tetra a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Green Neon Tetra live?

  3–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Green Neon Tetra?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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