🐠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.

Species profile

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Adult size

4 cm

Minimum tank

60 L

Water temperature

21 to 25 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Temperament

Gregarious and timid, it only settles in a tight school of ten or more, otherwise it pales and hides.

Health watch

neon tetra disease (Pleistophora), incurable · white spot disease after a temperature shock

🩺 This health information is general in nature and does not replace a consultation: at the slightest doubt about your animal’s condition, talk to your vet.

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

• Community aquarium or species-only tank: which is right for a first setup?Bedding & habitat

  Community aquarium or species-only tank: pros, cohabitation risks and advice for choosing how to set up your first aquarium.

• Best easy aquarium plants without CO2 for beginnersToys & enrichment

  Which aquarium plants can you choose without CO2 injection? A selection of hardy, easy plants for a beginner's planted tank.

• Budget for a first brackish water aquarium: the real cost to get startedBedding & habitat

  How much does a first brackish water aquarium cost? Tank, filtration, salt and salinity monitoring, budgeted item by item.

• Changing filter media too often: the mistake that wrecks your aquarium's cycleCare & grooming

  Why you should never replace all your filter media at once: nitrifying bacteria, replacement frequency and the right habits.

• Restarting a neglected aquarium: a step-by-step guideCare & grooming

  How do you restart an aquarium that's been left neglected without endangering the fish? Steps, water changes and mistakes to avoid.

• GH, KH and pH: understanding and adjusting aquarium water hardnessCare & grooming

  GH, KH, pH: what do these three readings actually measure, and how do you adjust aquarium water hardness without stressing the fish?

• Upgrading to a bigger aquarium: moving your fish without the stressBedding & habitat

  How do you upgrade to a bigger aquarium without breaking the biological cycle or stressing your fish? Steps and mistakes to avoid.

• Aquarium electrical safety: GFCI protection and good habitsTravel & safety

  Heater, filter, lighting near the water: what electrical precautions keep an aquarium safe for fish and people?