Care Level: Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful
Live Plant Safe: Yes
General Description: The Green Neon Tetra is a true blackwater species, endemic to the upper drainages and tributaries of the rio Negro in Brazil and the Rio Orinoco system that borders Venezuela and Colombia. Unlike its closely-related counterparts, the Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) and Cardinal Tetra (P. axelrodi) which are both mass produced commercially for the aquarium trade, the Green neon tetra is almost exclusively collected from the wild. Because of this, they are more expensive and greater attention to husbandry needs to be provided in order to keep this fish successfully. The Green neon tetra can be distinguished from both Neon and Cardinal tetras by a few traits. It has a slender body (compared to P. innesi), with a wide “greener” stripe that covers more of the body, and less red on the flanks that is also quite dull compared to both P. innesi and P. axelrodi. Green neon tetras are natural schooling fish, requiring at least 8 to 10 individuals to feel secure but the more the merrier when it comes to this species. An adult Green neon tetra can reach a size of approximately 1″.
Diet Requirements: In the wild Green neon tetra are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.
Care Requirements: An extremely established minimum 5 to 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Green neon tetra. While these tetra are small, a larger size aquarium better provides a stable environment. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger group. Green neon tetras are very intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, and will not endure deteriorating water parameters. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters pristine (Nitrates < 15 ppm). Given the blackwater environments in which they come from, and because only wild specimens are typically offered, Green neon tetra like tanin-stained water, gentle water flow, very soft water and an acidic pH. The aquarium needs to be aquascaped with a fine substrate, driftwood, driftwood branches and dense vegetation (artificial or live, though live plants are preferred). Green neon tetra would also benefit from some floating plants to dim the lighting. Green neon tetras are extremely peaceful and rarely conflict with tank mates. Their timid nature, however, may make them not suitable for typical community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. Mix Green neon tetra with other very peaceful shoaling tetra and nano rasbora species to provide them with security. Surprisingly, these tetra do well with dwarf cichlids, such as apistogrammas or rams, so long as they cannot be eaten. Given their specific environmental conditions that have little flexibility, Green neon tetras may ultimately be best suited in a species only aquarium. Extra care should be taken acclimating Green neon tetras, especially those that are freshly imported. Recommended water conditions, 76-86° F, KH 2-8, pH 3.0-6.5.
Purchase Size:Â Medium: 1/2” to 3/4”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
