One of the most well-known and well-liked species in aquarium hobby is neon fish. They are a favorite option for both novice and expert aquarists due to their vivid colors and serene disposition. These little shimmering fish liven up any tank with a splash of color that draws the eye right away.
Maintaining the health and happiness of neonates requires an understanding of both their natural habitat and the care they require. This piece covers all the essential information you need to know about these intriguing fish and offers suggestions for setting up the ideal habitat for them.
This guide provides useful information to improve your aquarium experience, whether you’re considering adding neons to your tank or you just want to learn more about this iconic species.
Aspect | Details |
Species | Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) |
Appearance | Bright blue and red stripes with a slender body |
Size | Up to 1.5 inches |
Habitat | Freshwater, native to the Amazon Basin |
Temperament | Peaceful, great for community tanks |
Diet | Omnivorous, enjoys flakes and small live food |
Care Level | Easy, suitable for beginners |
Water Conditions | pH 6.0-7.0, temperature 70-81°F |
Lifespan | Up to 5 years |
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- All types of neons
- Blue or common neon (Paracheirodon innesi)
- Blue Neon (Paracheirodon simulans)
- Red neon (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
- Green neon
- Black neon (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
- Caring for neon fry
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Conditions and care requirements for neonates
Neons require weekly water changes equal to about 1/3 of the aquarium’s total volume, as well as aeration and filtration. – Even though the fish are active, they do not leap out of the reservoir, so covering the aquarium is not necessary. – There should be any lighting. Plant thickets are used to create shaded areas in the aquarium, which is a recommended feature. – Customize the color and style of the aquarium with rocks, grottoes, driftwood, and other hiding places. There needs to be a swimming area outside the aquarium.
– It’s a good idea to occasionally add something that contains humic acids and tannins to the water, like tea or Tetra ToruMin. Neons are effective defoliators. Their natural habitat is phosphorus-rich water.
– Just like with other fish, an excessive amount of ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates is undesirable. Drop tests are something that every responsible aquarist should always have on hand, if only for phosphate and nitrate. Thankfully, they are now affordable, and there are no issues with their acquisition or variety. You can get cheap Vladox tests in offline stores in your city. Friends, beware of nitrogen compounds. If you control them, you and your pets should be fine.
The reputable FF online retailer Aqua Logo Shop is where you can buy the medications, gear, and other helpful items for an aquarist that were mentioned above. We advise against it!
Neonatal diet and feeding: Fish are generally omnivorous and indifferent to food. They relish everything Poseidon sends them to eat. All aquarium fish should, however, be fed correctly—balanced and varied. This basic principle is essential to successfully maintaining any type of fish, including neons and astronotus. Tetramin is a great option for a basic diet for neonates. In addition, consume foods high in carotenoids to intensify the color of their red stripes.
Allow me to make a small note. Color series food – enhances the natural color of fish (red, yellow colors), since it is enriched with pigments such as canthaxanthin, astaxanthin. In fact, carotenoids are natural "coloring" substances. It is astaxanthin that gives plants a red-orange color, carrots are a striking example of this. Or, for example, have you ever wondered why flamingos are pink? Yes, that"s exactly why. Eating plant and animal food rich in carotenoids, the plumage of flamingos, which is initially white, gradually turns pink. The more birds get this substance with food, the richer and redder the plumage becomes. If you look even deeper, flamingos eat the well-known brine shrimp – pink, saltwater crustaceans and also turn pink.
In actuality, if the meal includes carotenoids, the same thing occurs with fish. Not to be overlooked, astaxanthin is an antioxidant in addition to its other beneficial qualities. Generally speaking, carotenoids benefit all aquatic life, including aquarium plants, in addition to fish. The only requirement is that everything be balanced and in moderation. You must realize that the conditions of the fish’s life—such as stress or spawning—as well as the environment and lighting in the aquarium all affect the fish’s color.
In actuality, to sum up, the Color series feed is beneficial, but it shouldn’t serve as the main course. Imagine what would happen if someone consumed nothing but beets for the entire week. The idea is unsettling. Fish is the same way. I apologize; they start to poop adorable pink poop.
It is crucial in this case, incidentally, to avoid overfeeding the fish in order to prevent digestive tract issues. Every day, feed the neons; on other days, observe fasts. One of the keys to their maintenance success will be this. It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should be aware of the manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food by weight, and store it in a closed environment to prevent the growth of harmful flora.
History of neon fish
Neonates are native to South American streams and rivers, including those in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Riches inhabit the regions of Putumayo and Purus up to Boca do Tapaua, and rivers make up the upper Amazon from a certain Sao Paulo de Olivenza to Iquitos. Neons’ natural habitat is far away and enigmatic, as you can see. Because of this, the history of these fish in aquariums is still relatively new. The history of neon fish as aquarium fish can be traced back to 1935, when O. Rabo, a French national, found these fish in the Putumayo River in Eastern Peru.
The beauty of the red-blue fish astonished and delighted the discoverer Auguste Rabot, leading him to transport several of the species to Old Europe and the United States. The American ichthyologist S. Myers studied and described this species of unusual fish a year later, in 1936.
Germany is regarded as neonates’ second home. This is because the first people to breed neons under artificial conditions were the Germans. Since fish did not reproduce in artificial environments in France or the United States at the time, it was a sensation. The discovery of very soft water, which neon fish adore, in Germany was more responsible for the breakthrough in neon fish breeding than any human achievement.
Aquarium enthusiasts have come to love neon tetras, which are small, colorful fish with striking colors, a calm demeanor, and minimal maintenance needs. Anybody wishing to add these stunning fish to their aquarium should read this article as it covers all the information you need to know about neon tetras, from their natural habitat and ideal tank conditions to their feeding habits and compatibility with other fish.
All types of neons
– Neon, either blue or regular (Paracheirodon innesi).
– Paracheirodon simulans, or blue neon. Paracheirodon axelrodi, or red neon. – Kostelo, or green neon. – Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, or black neon.
Man-made: – Neon gold (Paracheirodon innesivar.) – Neon diamond, also known as the "albino" form of neon (Paracheirodon innesi diamond).
There are also rare, artificially bred neons:
Neon veil. – Neon orange or orange.
Blue or common neon (Paracheirodon innesi)
The most well-liked by neonates. The colors of these neons are incredibly vivid. The entire top has a stunning neon stripe that is turquoise-blue in color. The lower body half is a rich red color, the back is grayish-brown, and all of the fins are transparent. Their long, elongated bodies set them apart from their peers. Male blue neons are 3.5 cm and females are 4 cm.
Blue Neon (Paracheirodon simulans)
Aquarists lose this type of neon because of the name’s resemblance to blue neon. Red and blue neon are the ancestors of the blue neon. The fish can be identified by its elongated body and neon stripe that runs the length of its middle. I can fit up to 4 cm in sizes.
Red neon (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
Rio Negro and Orinoco rivers serve as the habitat. These neons only differ slightly in color from blue neons, making them extremely similar. Two solid neon blue and red stripes run the length of the body. Capable of growing to 5.5 centimeters in size.
Green neon
Dark green is the color of the back. The entire body is covered in a broad, dark stripe that contains a bright turquoise-blue stripe. Capable of growing to 3.5 centimeters in size.
Black neon (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
The body of these neons is long and somewhat flattened. The entire body is striped, with a broad black stripe at the bottom and a narrow silvery stripe at the top.
(Paracheirodon innesi var.) Golden neon
Out of all the representatives, this neon is the smallest. It can only grow to a maximum length of 1.5 centimeters. A gold stripe that runs the length of the body decorates it.
There is not a single neon stripe on these fish. Neon of the diamond variety only has a pale color and a reddish tail. reaches up to three centimeters in size.
Neon veil
A very expensive and uncommon variety of neon with fins that resemble a veil. reaches a maximum length of 4 cm. Standard maintenance parameters apply. 5.4 US dollars were spent.
Orange or orange neon
The most uncommon kind! Neon looks like a slice of transparent orange. is sought after by upscale foodies in the aquarium industry.
Reproduction and breeding of neons
First of all, it is important to note that neons are relatively easy to reproduce. In any case, neither hormone injections nor unique, challenging circumstances are necessary.
Sexual differences: Neon males are about half a centimeter smaller than females, and they are significantly slimmer than "girls." Their neon side strip has an obvious, even form that is unconvincing. In response, females have a neon strip that bends in the middle of their bodies, making them larger than males and more "puzate."
Manufacturers get ready for spawning when they reach 6 to 9 months of age. The presence of a spacious aquarium house, a range of feeding options, and comfortable water parameters are necessary for the successful breeding of "neon parents." Males and females are housed apart prior to spawning and are fed copious amounts of live feed throughout the crescent. The water’s temperature drops to 20 c when there is separate lodging. Fish between the ages of 10 and 12 months are thought to be the best manufacturers.
ESSENTIAL: Pay close attention to the suggested parameters for aquarium water and upkeep! The sperm cannot fertilize the eggs in extremely hard water because of the egg shell’s barrier, and the eggs perish in extremely bright light!
The setup of a spawning aquarium consists of an aquarium that is 40 centimeters long, a separator net placed on the bottom, a darkened back and side, and dark substrate. The aquarium should be soil-free. The spawning ground’s water parameters are as follows: level 15 cm, temperature 20–22 C, hardness DH up to 2, KH 0, pH 5.5–6.5, and only natural lighting. Disinfecting the UV or ozone is advised.
Spawning neon: Having prepared the aquarium for spawning, males and females are planted in the afternoon in the afternoon in the evening in the ratio of 1: 1 or 3 males per 1 female. Usually fish spawn by the next morning at dawn. However, this process can be delayed for 3 days. During the period of spawning, neon does not feed anything.
Females spawn non-sticky eggs from 50 to 200 eggs at a time. Immediately after spawning, I remove the parents, and darken the neristnik (remember, light is harmful to eggs). ). It is necessary to remove the breeders without fail, as they eat the fry.
Within four hours after spawning, you need to monitor the eggs and immediately remove them if the eggs turn white. The incubation period for neon eggs is approximately 22 hours.
Caring for neon fry
On days four and five, the young neon starts to swim; up until then, the larvae essentially hang in the spawning aquarium without moving.
The water in the aquarium should be at least 10 centimeters below the surface, and the fry require mandatory aeration, a temperature of 20 to 22 C, and daily replacement of one-tenth of the volume of water. Feeding must occur frequently in portions, starting from the time the fry learn to swim (4-5 days). Fry fish specific feed must be used as an initial feed. Tetra Min Baby is one of the pet stores that sells this kind of food. Additionally, you can feed them infusoria, a floodplain, and a groomed boiled egg yolk.
It is important to carefully handle neon fry while they are growing in an aquarium meant for spawning. Lighting is progressively increased; full lighting cannot be completed until the young people are "on their feet," which occurs within the first month of life. Fry will merely become disoriented otherwise.
Because of their brilliant colors and serene personalities, neon fish add a special charm to any aquarium. These petite but eye-catching fish are perfect for novice and expert aquarists alike because they require little maintenance. Their shoaling behavior gives your tank a dynamic touch by producing a vibrant and eye-catching display.
It takes work to keep neon fish happy and healthy, but it’s well worth the effort to monitor tank conditions and water quality. They are a well-liked option for a variety of aquarium setups due to their adaptability and low maintenance requirements. Neon fish are an excellent choice for starting a new tank or adding to an existing one.
All things considered, neon fish are a fun addition to any aquarium. They add color and vibrancy to your underwater world with their gorgeous appearance and kind disposition, making them a pleasure to watch. You can appreciate the beauty of neon fish for many years to come if you comprehend their requirements and create the ideal habitat.