🐠Neon tetra: gear and buying guides

The neon tetra is a small schooling fish that only thrives in groups of at least 10, where it displays its natural behavior. It needs a tank of at least 60 to 80 L, soft and slightly acidic water between 21 and 25 °C, and subdued lighting. Sensitive to fluctuations, it should only be added to a well-matured tank.

Profile : 3 to 4 cm as an adult, 60 to 80 L minimum for a school of 10, soft water between 21 and 25 °C.

Neon tetra gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  A micro-omnivore: small flakes or micro-pellets suited to its tiny mouth, with baby brine shrimp and frozen daphnia. Feed small amounts eaten within two minutes.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  It requires stable, soft and slightly acidic water with low nitrates. Change 20 percent of the water weekly, pouring slowly, as it is sensitive to osmotic and temperature shocks.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  An Amazon-style setup: dense planting around the edges, driftwood roots and a few dead leaves that amber the water. A dark substrate and soft lighting bring out its colors.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A tank of at least 60 to 80 L, longer than tall to allow schooling. Keep an open swimming lane in the middle and avoid tankmates large enough to eat it, such as adult angelfish.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport the school split across several opaque bags to limit stress. Drip acclimation of at least 45 minutes is advised, especially into harder water.

• 🧰 Accessories

  A moderate-flow filter, a 50 to 100 W heater, GH/KH hardness tests and possibly RO water for softening. Expect 100 to 180 euros to equip an 80 L tank.

Guides to read

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

  How much does a 60-litre aquarium kit really cost? The full start-up budget, item by item: equipped tank, substrate, decor, water tests and consumables.

• Nano shrimp tank: the essential equipment to start off rightBedding & habitat

  What equipment does a nano shrimp tank need? Volume, gentle filtration, the right substrate and a full budget: the complete checklist for keeping Neocaridina.

• Betta tank of 20-30 litres: the ideal setup, step by stepBedding & habitat

  How do you set up a 20 to 30 litre betta tank? Low-flow filtration, heating, resting plants and a lid: the ideal setup explained in detail.

• Garden pond for goldfish: volume, equipment and budgetBedding & habitat

  How do you build a garden pond for goldfish? Minimum volume, frost-free depth, filtration and predator protection: the complete guide with budget.

• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.