Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
Common Name: Neon Tetra Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Characiformes Family: Characidae Genus: Paracheirodon Species: P. innesi Binomial Name: Paracheirodon innesi
The Neon Tetra has an iridescent blue-green horizontal stripe along each side of the fish from its nose to the base of the adipose fin, and an iridescent red stripe that begins at the middle of the body and extends posteriorly to the base of the caudal fin. It grows to about 3 cm (1.25 in) in length. Neon Tetras have a lifespan of about five years.They tend to be timid because of their small size, should not be kept with large or aggressive fish who may bully or eat them. They are best kept in schools of six or more, because they are a shoaling fish. Neon tetras are omnivores and will accept most flake foods, but should also have some small foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and micro pellet food to supplement their diet. The male is slender, and the blue line is straighter. The female is rounder, producing a bent blue line. Neon tetras are occasionally afflicted by Neon Tetra Disease, which is usually fatal to the fish, and has no known cure. Females usually look plumper than the males, but this may not always be true. To breed Neon Tetras, place a pair of the species in a breeding tank without any light, and gradually increase the lighting until spawning occurs. Other inducers include mosquito larvae and a hardness of less than 4 degrees. Some also recommend letting the level of nitrates rise, then do at least 50% water change to simulate the fresh rain the tetras get in their natural habitat, the Amazon. Adults will often eat newly-hatched fry, so it is best to remove the adults as soon as the eggs have been laid. The eggs are especially sensitive to light. Eggs will hatch within 30 hours of the laying. Fry can be fed infusoria and egg yolk for 1 to 4 weeks, followed by baby brine shrimp. Fry will achieve their adult coloration at approximately one month of age.Adults can spawn every two weeks.

Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

Common Name: Neon Tetra

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Characiformes

Family: Characidae

Genus: Paracheirodon

Species: P. innesi

Binomial Name: Paracheirodon innesi

The Neon Tetra has an iridescent blue-green horizontal stripe along each side of the fish from its nose to the base of the adipose fin, and an iridescent red stripe that begins at the middle of the body and extends posteriorly to the base of the caudal fin. It grows to about 3 cm (1.25 in) in length. Neon Tetras have a lifespan of about five years.They tend to be timid because of their small size, should not be kept with large or aggressive fish who may bully or eat them. They are best kept in schools of six or more, because they are a shoaling fish. Neon tetras are omnivores and will accept most flake foods, but should also have some small foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and micro pellet food to supplement their diet. The male is slender, and the blue line is straighter. The female is rounder, producing a bent blue line. Neon tetras are occasionally afflicted by Neon Tetra Disease, which is usually fatal to the fish, and has no known cure.

Females usually look plumper than the males, but this may not always be true. To breed Neon Tetras, place a pair of the species in a breeding tank without any light, and gradually increase the lighting until spawning occurs. Other inducers include mosquito larvae and a hardness of less than 4 degrees. Some also recommend letting the level of nitrates rise, then do at least 50% water change to simulate the fresh rain the tetras get in their natural habitat, the Amazon. Adults will often eat newly-hatched fry, so it is best to remove the adults as soon as the eggs have been laid. The eggs are especially sensitive to light. Eggs will hatch within 30 hours of the laying. Fry can be fed infusoria and egg yolk for 1 to 4 weeks, followed by baby brine shrimp. Fry will achieve their adult coloration at approximately one month of age.Adults can spawn every two weeks.