Neon Tetra
A small schooling fish with bright blue and red stripes. Neons look best in groups and do well in a mature, stable aquarium with gentle tank mates.
tankSize
40L (10 gal) minimum for a school
careLevel
Beginner to Intermediate
temperature
23 to 26C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Micro-pellets or flakes plus occasional frozen foods
lifespan
3 to 5 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (schooling)
weeklyMaintenance
Partial water changes and basic cleaning
Best for
- People who want a calm, beautiful community tank
- Owners who enjoy a schooling fish look
- Homes with a cycled, stable aquarium
- Tanks with gentle companions (not aggressive fish)
Not ideal for
- Brand-new tanks that are not cycled
- Very hard or unstable water without adjustment
- Tanks with fin-nippers or aggressive species
- People who want a single 'pet fish' with bold personality
Temperament
- Peaceful and shy
- Most confident in a group
- Prefers gentle tank mates and stable conditions
Daily routine
feeding: Small feedings once or twice daily. Use appropriately sized food.
check: Monitor schooling behavior, appetite, and water temperature.
enrichment: Provide plants and darker areas for comfort.
Living fit
smallHome: Works well in a small stable community tank.
kids: Great for observation and learning a simple routine.
firstTimeOwner: Good if the tank is properly cycled and maintained.
Health notes
- Do best in a mature tank with stable parameters.
- Stress from poor water quality can lead to disease outbreaks.
- Quarantine new fish when possible.
Cost and time
time: Low daily time, weekly maintenance required.
cost: Moderate setup cost. Ongoing food and water conditioner costs are low.
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