This is a very attractive and colorful type of fish. It is one of the most curious breeds that exist in the aquatic world and can live up to four years.
The neon fish, also known as the neon tetra or scientifically as Paracheirodon innesi, is a species of characid actinopterygian fish native to western South America, where it is abundant in rivers in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It is a highly appreciated animal in the world of aquarium keeping because they are very adaptable and extremely resistant. They can live up to four years, so we are talking about an ideal species for all those neophytes who are starting with fish breeding.
They also stand out for their striking colors, their calm character and their movements in schools, which give movement and life to the entire aquarium. And this pet is one of the most curious that exist in the aquatic world, so, if you are looking for information about this fish because you want to add it to your fish tank, below you will find everything about its characteristics and the care that this fish requires:
Characteristics of the Neon Fish
Although it is a very showy and colorful type of fish, it is quite small in size, reaching only 3.5 centimeters in length. It is longer than it is wide, that is, the shape of its tiny body is tapered. This pet has a forked tail and a small adipose fin between the caudal and dorsal fins.
In the mouth of this tropical pet, we can see tiny teeth because it belongs to the same family as piranhas. The calm and innocent appearance of this animal makes many people surprised when they find out what its family is.
As for the colors, the sides have a very bright and intense blue color that, when the light hits it, the blue begins to shine very noticeably. The colored line starts at the eye and runs almost all the way along its back to form a very nice contrast between the blue color we mentioned and the red and white of the rest of the body. It is a unique fish, although many people tend to easily confuse it with the cardinal tetra fish because both have the same shades of blue and red, something that leads to confusion.
Even though this fish is unique, some people easily confuse it with a very similar species of the same genus known as the cardinal tetra. Both fish have the same shades of red and blue, so it can be confusing. To tell them apart, note that the red stripe on the cardinal tetra starts at the mouth and runs all the way to the caudal fin.
Finally, this is a type of fish that adapts easily to any environment and any type of water. It does not present any problems with the location of the aquarium or with the presence of other fish, and it is also recommended that it not be alone and that it live with other specimens, between eight and ten, whether they are male or female neon fish or with species such as angelfish or beta fish. However, and as is normal, it is not recommended that it live with larger fish or aggressive fish because they could attack it with such a small size.
Neon fish care
It is necessary to take into account some aspects regarding the care of this pet if we want it to live as long as possible and be able to develop without problems.
1. One of the first things we need to keep in mind is both the quality and temperature of the water, which should be between 20 and 25 degrees so that the animal feels like it is in its natural environment. If the temperature exceeds this range or, on the contrary, falls below it, the neon fish may be in danger because it cannot tolerate it easily. The aquarium should be far from air currents or sudden changes in temperature.
2. As for water, filter out cloudy water and boil it for 10 minutes to remove calcium and sodium. Never add chlorine to the water as this can harm the fish. Water conditions should be between 6.5 and 7.5 pH and 18 to 215 ppm hardness.
3. On the other hand, it is important not to use artificial light because this species of fish is sensitive to light. Noise is something that can also affect its nervous system and, therefore, its growth. Also, make sure that the aquarium has enough capacity to hold 60 liters of water. The neon fish need to have an empty space in the center of the aquarium without decorations or plants to have more land.
4. Finally, neon fish need black water, that is, a dark bottom to feel that they have everything under control. However, the plants have to be low and dense so that the light can pass through without a problem. You can use logs to create darkness in the water. In addition, this will contrast with the bright color of your pet, and the aquarium will become more beautiful.
If we talk about the coexistence of this pet with other fish in the same aquarium, it must be taken into account that they are quite aggressive towards members of their own family. In addition, they are fish organized in a hierarchical way, which means that our group of neon fish cannot be less than ten fish. They need this organization to feel in good condition to survive. The lower-ranking members will surround the dominant specimens, which means that the members of the outer parts of the group are less safe and protected.
Feeding the neon fish
Finally, as for feeding this animal, you will have to feed it three times a day. Dry food is a good option and very easy to acquire in any pet store or specialized store.
You can also supplement their diet with fresh vegetables such as lettuce leaves, but you don’t have to give them live foods every day, although you can choose this option from time to time because it helps keep their intense colors brighter. Some examples of live foods would be mosquito larvae, brine shrimp or daphnia.
It is important that the food that this pet eats is not too large because it could choke on it , it is better that it is food that it can eat comfortably. It is also important to remember that these animals are omnivores, so you can offer them plants from time to time as food would also be a good choice. You can opt for pieces of tomato or small lettuce.
Distribution area and habitat of the neon fish
As we have said before, the suitable habitat for this species of fish is black water, which is characterized by being acidic and soft. This does not mean that they are unable to live in clearer or more crystalline waters, but they will not feel as comfortable as in dark ones. The distribution area of this pet is located in the Amazon basin, the entire eastern area of Peru and Colombia. It is in these countries where we can see them in freshwater rivers. And it is that they are not able to withstand even a minimum concentration of salt.
Although most of these fish can be purchased in stores, their true origin is Latin American. They are intensively bred in South Asia for purchase and sale, so it is more difficult to find a specimen that has been bred in Peru, Brazil or Colombia because most are bred from birth in captivity.
Reproduction of the neon fish
In order for this specimen to reproduce, you must select the fish in your tank that you want to reproduce . Make sure they are the youngest due to their sexual maturity, as they will be more capable of this task. Another aspect to take into account is that they were born in water with a high pH because, if they were born in hard water, they will not reproduce.
When choosing females, you will have to give priority to those that are larger and full of eggs because the spawning can give a total of between 80 and 250 eggs. At the time this is done, you should remove the parents from the breeding pond to prevent them from eating the eggs. Separate the breeders in a different pond so that there are no problems with other fish in the aquarium during the spawning task.
The next step to ensure the eggs survive is to leave them without light. You can use an aerator to generate a small current and add some product to prevent the spread of fungus. The eggs hatch within 24 hours and they will be able to swim after five days. After a few days, you need to give the babies more food so they can develop properly. When they have been in their own aquarium for three months, it will be time to add these babies to the aquarium where the rest of the fish are.