Neon Tetra

This is one of the most popular tetras of the aquarium hobby due to their iridescent blue and red bodies. These fish prefer low lighting and in fact this actually allows their colour to illuminate in a stronger fashion. The red stripe on the body of the Neon is what differentiates it from the Cardinal Tetra, on a Neon it extends from the belly to the tail whereas on a Cardinal it goes from the nose to the tail.

Profile
Care: Easy
Origin: South America
Food: brine shrimp, daphnia, freeze dried blood worms, micro pellets and flakes.
Temp: 22-28C (73-81F)
Min. tank: 38L (10 gallon) 
Schooling: should be kept in groups with 6 or more
pH: 5.5-7.5
Max Size: 5cm (2 inches)
Tank mates: Rasboras, small tetras, Cory's and small shrimps
Breeding (challenging)
Breeding tank must have:

• hardness: 1-2 dGH
• pH: 5-6
• sponge filter
• live plants
• cover tank to subdue light
• temperature: 24C (72-75F)

see (how to set-up a breeding tank) 

To breed Neon's you must find a pair and place them into a breeding tank with no lighting. Each day the lighting should be slightly increased until spawning occurs. Live foods (such as mosquito larvae) also induce the breeding. The adults must be removed from the breeding tank after the eggs have been dispatched otherwise the parents will consume them. The eggs (should be around 100) take about 30 hours to hatch.

• Eggs and fry must be kept in low light conditions as they are very sensitive to bright light
• After 3-4 days they can be fed infusoria, egg yolk and after a few weeks freshly hatched brine-shrimp.

Note: Neon's usually jump in spawning period so the tank must be covered.

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