Taking care of Neon Tetras involves maintaining a stable and healthy aquarium environment and providing them with a suitable diet. Here's a breakdown of their care requirements:
Water Parameters
Neon Tetras are sensitive to water conditions, so maintaining stable parameters is crucial.
- Temperature: 70°F - 81°F (21°C - 27°C)
- pH: 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Water Hardness: 1-5 dGH (very soft to soft)
Regular water testing and changes (around 25% weekly) are essential to keep the water clean and free of harmful substances like ammonia and nitrites. Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
Tank Setup
A well-planted tank is ideal for Neon Tetras, as it provides them with hiding places and helps maintain water quality.
- Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for a small school (6+ tetras). Larger tanks are better.
- Substrate: Dark substrate will make their colors pop.
- Plants: Live plants such as Amazon Sword, Java Fern, and Cryptocoryne are excellent choices.
- Filtration: A gentle filter is needed to maintain water quality, but avoid strong currents as Neon Tetras prefer calmer waters.
- Lighting: Moderate lighting is preferred.
Diet
Neon Tetras are omnivores and require a varied diet.
- Flake Food: High-quality tropical fish flakes should form the base of their diet. Crush the flakes into smaller pieces.
- Micro Granules: Micro granules are another excellent food source.
- Live and Frozen Foods: Supplement their diet with small live or frozen foods like Bloodworms, Brineshrimp, Daphnia, and Black mosquito larvae.
Feeding Schedule: Feed small amounts 2-3 times a day. They have fast metabolisms, so frequent small feedings are better than one large feeding. Be careful not to overfeed, as this can lead to water quality issues.
Social Behavior and Tank Mates
Neon Tetras are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6 or more to feel secure and exhibit natural behaviors.
- Compatible Tank Mates: Small, peaceful fish like other tetras (cardinal tetras, ember tetras), Rasboras, Corydoras catfish, and Otocinclus catfish.
- Avoid: Avoid housing them with larger, aggressive fish that may prey on them or outcompete them for food.
Common Health Issues
- Neon Tetra Disease: A common disease specific to neon tetras. Symptoms include loss of color, restlessness, and difficulty swimming. Quarantine affected fish immediately.
- Ich (White Spot Disease): A parasitic infection characterized by small white spots on the fish. Treat with appropriate medication.
- Fin Rot: Bacterial infection that causes the fins to become frayed and ragged. Maintain good water quality and treat with antibiotics if necessary.
