Blue Neon (Paracheirodon innesi)

The Blue Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a fish that you have undoubtedly encountered if you are new to the world of aquarium fish. Because of their vivid colors and energetic behavior, aquarium enthusiasts adore these little fish. Blue Neons are native to the Amazon Basin and are characterized by their vivid blue and red colors that add a pop of brightness to any tank.

Cyan neon Tetras are distinguished by their striking appearance. A red stripe runs along the middle of their mostly shimmering blue body. They stand out due to their vivid coloring, particularly when swimming in schools. They are perfect for community tanks because of their calm disposition and small size—they are typically about an inch long—where they get along well with other non-aggressive species.

Although maintaining Blue Neon Tetras is not too difficult, there are a few things to remember. They do best in water that is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and is slightly acidic to neutral. They will feel more secure and display their best colors in a well-planted tank with lots of hiding places. They will remain content and healthy with routine water changes and a well-balanced diet of premium flakes or live food.

All things considered, blue neon tetras make a beautiful addition to any aquarium. They are a lively and alluring option for novice and expert fish keepers alike because of their brilliant colors and schooling behavior. These little fish might be the ideal choice if you want to add some color and movement to your tank.

Aspect	Details
Common Name	Blue Neon Tetra
Scientific Name	Paracheirodon innesi
Origin	South America (Amazon Basin)
Size	Up to 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Color	Bright blue body with a red stripe
Tank Size	Minimum 10 gallons
Water Conditions	pH 5.0-7.0, Soft water, Temperature 72-78°F (22-26°C)
Diet	Omnivorous, will eat flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods
Behavior	Peaceful, prefers to be in schools of 6 or more
Tank Mates	Compatible with other small, peaceful fish
Care Level	Easy, good for beginners

History of discovery

These small fish owe their appearance in Europe to Auguste Rabaud, who was interested in exotic species of insects (primarily butterflies) and plants (orchids) for the collections of wealthy amateurs and museums in different countries. He first saw this fish among the Indians when he was sick with a fever. The neon was floating in a clay vessel standing in the house. Rabaud appreciated the find and after recovery began work on transporting the fish to Europe. He hid the habitat of these luminous fish for a long time in order to maintain a monopoly on supplies. He sent several pieces to the famous expert on tropical fish William Innes, who at that time published the magazine "Aquarium" in Philadelphia, in the hope that his magazine would create advertising for Rabaud. Innes was surprised: he saw such wonderful fish for the first time. He immediately sent them for identification to one of the largest ichthyologists in the USA, Professor Myers, who described this species and gave it a species name.

Habitat and range

South America: inhabits the forest tributaries of the Ucayali, Putumayo, and Yarapa Rivers (Peruvian portion of the Amazon basin) as well as the tributaries of the Solimões River.

The exact extent of its distribution is still unknown.

These are tiny streams and rivers with peat bottoms that are running beneath a thick layer of trees. Twilight is created when very little light is able to pass through the thick foliage and into the water. Salts from the bottom rocks are difficult to wash away and dissolve due to a thick layer of silt, and decaying leaves and branches that fall into the reservoir acidify the water. The rainy season’s precipitation replenishes the reservoirs as well. As a result, the water in this location is unusually clear, acidic, and enriched with humic and tanninous substances, giving it a brownish hue.

The great majority of fish that are sold for aquariums are farmed commercially and are therefore more versatile than their wild counterparts.

Due to its peaceful disposition and striking blue and red coloring, the Blue Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a beautiful and well-liked option for home aquariums. This little fish thrives in schools and adds a pop of color and movement to any setup, making it the ideal fish for community tanks. These stunning fish make a wonderful addition to any aquatic environment, so it’s important to understand their care needs, including those related to water quality and tank mates.

Description

They have a bright stripe running the length of their bodies, which, when exposed to the sun’s glare, flashes like a neon sign, either bright blue or green. This allows them to apparently locate each other in nearly total darkness.

Beneath this stripe is another, wider, bright red stripe that extends from the midbody to the beginning of the caudal fin.

Size:

While males typically grow to 30 mm, females can grow up to 35 mm.

Behavior and compatibility

The fish is good to keep in mixed aquariums because it is calm, social, and active.

Make the biggest impression in large schools of 20–30 individuals or more, along with species that share similar maintenance requirements and are similar in size.

Purchase ten or more fish if at all possible, as they will be more active, less reticent, more visible, have better color, and behave more naturally in large quantities.

Aquarium

Can be any size, but ideally it should be at least 40 cm long and 30 cm high.

The upkeep is not too difficult. The aquarium’s setup should mirror the parameters of the natural reservoirs in which the species is found. moderately lit with some shadows. Deeply buried plants (Thai fern, cryptocorynes, feathery leaf, Java moss, etc.) with plenty of room to swim in dark soil with driftwood and boiled peat chips.

Unless you intend to breed them later, they are not fussy about the water’s composition, but you should keep significant temperature fluctuations to a minimum. Prefers slightly acidic, not too hard water.

Water parameters:

In the range of 21 to 28°C pH range: 4.0 to 7.5 Hardness: 12° dGH and higher

Remember that while they do not tolerate large amounts of fresh water when changing it, they do tolerate, like most fish in this South American habitat, a slight increase in nitrites and nitrates! Replacing more frequently but in smaller amounts is preferable.

Nutrition

It consumes fallen fruits, filamentous algae, small invertebrates, and crustaceans in the wild.

It can survive in aquariums on dry food, but like most fish, it prefers a varied diet; in this case, live and frozen food that is small enough to fit in the fish’s small mouth.

Sexual Dimorphism

In fish, sexual differences are barely noticeable. Compared to males, mature females are typically slightly larger and noticeably rounder.

Males have a more slender body and a straight green stripe, while females have a fuller abdomen. Furthermore, the swim bladder—which is visible through the body—shifts toward the anus in males and toward the spine in females.

Ages 5-8 months mark the sexual maturity of blue neons.

Breeding

Fish farming experience and a certain level of hydrochemistry knowledge are prerequisites for reproduction. The primary requirement is that the spawning grounds, producers, and water in particular be carefully prepared.

Adult fish should not be used as producers for breeding. Young animals that are 2-3 months old and kept in specific conditions should be used to prepare full-fledged producers. A quarter of a part distilled or clean rainwater is added to the aquarium’s supply of long-aged tap water. All year round, live food is provided to the males and females in separate enclosures, with the exception of tubifex. It is sufficient to feed small bloodworms, corethra, daphnia, and cyclops.

The spawning ground’s water should be between 22 and 24 °C, very soft (0.5–4 °), and acidic (pH 5.5–6.5).

They are planted in flocks of five to ten pairs, or in pairs for spawning. In order to accomplish this, females that are equally prepared for spawning must be chosen. One pair of producers can use 5–6 liters of prepared water.

It has been established that acidic water has bacteriostatic properties, that is, it inhibits the development of bacteria. This property is of great practical importance for fish breeding. It is known that in hard water (above 4-5°) the shell of the eggs of many characins becomes impermeable to sperm, and fertilization does not occur. Therefore, it is necessary to artificially prepare water for spawning. It is enough to take 10 liters of distilled water and add 1 liter of tap water. Put the container with soft water in a dark place and let it stand for two weeks. When acidifying water, mineral salts, as well as sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and other acids, cannot be used.

Breeding takes place in aquariums made entirely of glass, which needs to be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly. Just adding a layer of Java moss to the bottom and a grate or separator mesh will suffice. The spawning ground should have dark green paper covering three of its sides and diffused light coming in from the fourth. There should be tiny air bubbles in the spawning ground’s water, giving it a slight aeration.

Mature producers are placed for spawning in the evening. The fish are not fed in the spawning ground. Spawning usually begins the next morning. After laying eggs (within 3-4 hours), the producers are removed with a disinfected net, and trypaflavin is added to the water until it acquires a soft yellow color. The spawning ground is completely darkened. During spawning, the female throws out from 100 to 250 eggs. Males are placed in a reserve aquarium. This is done because females collect eggs for the next spawning in 7-10 days, while males are fully ready only after 15-20 days. Consequently, other males that have not spawned are added to the females for the next spawning. 20-24 hours after the end of spawning, larvae hatch from the eggs.

Because they have yolk sacs, the larvae can feed, grow, and transform into fry in five to six days. Now is the time to begin feeding the fry. To encourage the fry, who congregate in a darkened area, to eat in the illuminated portion of the aquarium, one half of it is slightly lit. The best beginning food for neon fry is rotifers, which are combined with zooplankton that has been sifted through a thick sieve.

It must be remembered that at first the aquarium with fry cannot be brightly lit. The darkening is removed only when the fry are strong enough, t.e. after 12-14 days. This period is the most important in growing fry, t.to. due to their low motor activity in water, it is necessary to maintain a high density of food organisms. On the 14-15th day, the fry can already eat small daphnia and cyclops. During this period, a red stripe appears on their body, and they begin to look like their parents. The fry can be transferred to a large aquarium without soil, with water of the same composition and temperature as in the spawning tank. As the young grow, water is added in small portions to the rearing aquarium in which they will be kept in the future (for gradual adaptation to the quality of the aquatic environment). The most negative factor for the young is the high level of protein substances and excessive amounts of bacteria in the water.

An aquarium’s lifespan is roughly three years.

For any aquarium, the Blue Neon Tetra is a breathtaking addition. Fish enthusiasts love it because of its eye-catching display of vivid blue and red coloration. This little but eye-catching fish is appealing to both novice and experienced aquarists because it is relatively simple to care for.

The tranquil nature of Blue Neon Tetras is one of the best things about owning them. It is best to keep them in groups of six or more because they thrive in schools. They exhibit more vibrant colors as a result, and it also makes them feel more at ease and content in their surroundings.

Sustaining a healthy aquarium is essential to the survival of these exquisite fish. They prefer a well-planted tank with a slight acidity to neutral water so they can hide and explore. A balanced diet and frequent water changes will keep them in excellent condition.

To sum up, the Blue Neon Tetra is a great option for anyone wishing to give their aquarium a pop of color and some peace and quiet. They will add a vibrant and lovely presence to your tank for many years to come with the proper care.

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Blue neon (Paracheirodon innesi)

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