Red neon tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

The stunning and well-liked red neon tetra, scientifically named *Paracheirodon axelrodi*, is a popular freshwater fish that enthralls aquarists with its vivid colors and serene disposition. This little vibrant fish livens up any aquarium with its vibrant splash of color, which is easily identifiable by its red and blue stripes.

The red neon tetra is a native of warm-water rivers in South America, especially the Orinoco and Negro river basins. It prefers soft, slightly acidic water. Because of its adaptability and calm disposition, it’s the perfect fish for community tanks, where it gets along well with other small, peaceful fish.

Beyond just being aesthetically pleasing, the red neon tetra is renowned for its active schooling behavior, which involves its members frequently moving in unison to produce captivating displays. This colorful fish can add beauty and balance to your aquatic environment, regardless of your level of experience.

Habitat and range

South America: river basins of the Orinoco and Negro, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia.

The verified range currently stretches from the vicinity of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro municipality in the middle Rio Negro basin, Brazil, westward (upstream), to the lower reaches of the Vaupes, Isana, Guaviare, Inirida, Meta, and Vichada rivers.

Found in some regions of Venezuela’s Orinoco watershed, where populations differ morphologically from those from the Rio Negro.

Their primary habitats are small, slowly flowing streams and shallow forest streams.

They live in habitats in the Rio Negro system that are distinguished by riparian vegetation that is dense and frequently overhanging, as well as a bottom that is covered in leaf litter, fallen branches, and tree roots.

The water is typically acidic, has low conductivity and carbonate hardness, and is tinted brown due to the humic substances that are released during the breakdown of organic matter.

The habitats in the Orinoco system usually have sandy bottoms, clear, clean water, and dense stands of riparian or aquatic vegetation where fish hide out.

Since there is little water movement during the dry season, a layer of leaf litter and other organic detritus forms in the main stream channels, where the fish congregate in large schools. This indicates that both types of habitat are seasonal.

The surrounding area is inundated by streams of water as the rainy season commences, with the water depth rising. The fish swim higher in the water column, moving through areas of flooded vegetation or hiding among flooded roots, and falling leaves are carried away, exposing the sand.

Aquarium enthusiasts love the Red Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi), a colorful and well-liked freshwater fish with eye-catching red and blue colors. It’s a species that’s great for both novice and seasoned fish keepers because it’s peaceful, thrives in groups, and is relatively easy to care for.

Description

Its body is low, elongated, and has some side flattening. A two-lobed caudal fin is present. The back is glossy and painted an olive green color. The body is striped in two different colors: bright red begins at the base of the caudal fin and ends at the gill cover, while luminous blue runs from the snout to the adipose fin.

The angle at which you view the fish will determine its shade; if you look at it from below, it will take on a deeper sapphire-blue and even indigo hue; if you look at it from above, however, it will take on a more greenish-emerald hue.

Large, easily noticeable scales are present on the bright strip, which nearly disappears in the dark and is replaced by a short, broad blue-violet band. Light brown color replaces red.

Greenish-blue eyes. Fins show through. The dorsal and anal fin margins are bluish-white in color.

Size:

Males and females can have bodies up to 30 mm and 50 mm long, respectively.

Behavior and compatibility

Fish that are schooling, active, and completely calm. They must be kept in groups to prevent the blending of their vivid colors with the backgrounds of other fish.

Careless with upkeep, rapidly congregate in a school that doesn’t crumble. Get along with a variety of fish of comparable size. Go swimming in every water layer.

Purchase as many as you can from ten or more, as these fish are more active and less shy, more visible and have a better color, and behave more naturally.

Aquarium

A 50–60 liter aquarium with a base measuring 60 * 30 cm or larger is advised.

It is appropriate for an aquarium with dark soil, patches of shade, and a variety of shelters. Along the back and side walls of the aquarium, dense thickets of plants (any variety of cryptocorynes, echinodorus, Thai fern, and Java moss work well) are planted, leaving room for swimming.

The aquarium should be located in a shaded area with dim overhead lighting because they do not tolerate bright lighting well.

Water parameters:

In the range of 23 to 29 °C pH range: 3.5 to 7.5 Hardness: 12 ° dGH and higher

Installing a peat filter or adding peat extract is advised. You should also add water as it evaporates and change the water up to 20% of the time, once a week or twice a month.

Feeding

In the wild, they eat things like fallen fruits, small invertebrates, crustaceans, filamentous algae, and insects that fall to the water’s surface.

Being omnivorous, it can survive in aquariums on dry food; however, similar to most fish, it is best to provide a varied diet, which in this case should include frozen and live food.

Sexual Dimorphism

Compared to males, females are slightly larger and noticeably rounder. The anal fin of the male has a convex edge, whereas the female’s is concave.

At eight to ten months old, they reach sexual maturity.

Breeding

In captivity, reproduction is feasible but challenging.

The breeding process takes place in a closed aquarium with a volume of at least 15-20 liters (for 1 female and 2-3 males) and a water level of 20 cm. For this, old water is needed: hardness 1-2 °, pH 5.0-5.5, temperature 24-27 ° C. The water must be disinfected with an ozonizer or ultraviolet lamp. For breeding, all-glass aquariums are used, which must be thoroughly washed and disinfected. It is enough to put a separator mesh or Java moss on the bottom. The spawning tank is placed in a place where direct sunlight does not fall and is darkened on three sides with black paper. For spawning, select females with full abdomens and active males.

A week is spent keeping the chosen fish apart in cold water, and the day before they are put in the spawning tank, they cease eating. Darkness falls and the spawning process lasts for two to three hours. Productivity of up to 400 tiny, transparent, amber-colored eggs.

The fish are taken out of the aquarium once they have spawned. Since the eggs and larvae are light-sensitive during their early life stages, the aquarium should ideally be kept dark.

The incubation period is 20–36 hours. The larvae start swimming and feeding after six to seven days. The aquarium’s aeration and dim lighting are currently on. Rotifers and infusoria are fed to the fry. They start to produce Artemia nauplii as they get bigger.

The fry hide beneath plant leaves for the first two weeks of their rapid growth. The fry have glowing eyes and a luminous stripe by the time they are 3–4 weeks old. The fish grow at a moderate rate, and depending on the quality of the food and aquarium water, they can take up to 8 weeks to acquire adult coloring.

Although it can live up to five years in aquariums, it is thought to be an almost annual fish in the wild, with few specimens found to be older than a year.

Characteristic	Description
Scientific Name	Paracheirodon axelrodi
Common Name	Red Neon Tetra
Size	Up to 2.5 cm (1 inch)
Water Temperature	22-28°C (72-82°F)
pH Range	5.0-7.0
Tank Size	Minimum 10 gallons
Diet	Omnivore (small flakes, brine shrimp)
Behavior	Peaceful, best kept in groups
Lifespan	Up to 5 years

A colorful and serene fish, the Red Neon Tetra can add vitality and color to any aquarium. They are a favorite of both novice and expert aquarists due to their shimmering red and blue colors. These little fish can flourish and turn into a gorgeous focal point in your aquatic environment with the correct care, which includes a clean tank and a friendly community of tankmates.

The best way to keep your Red Neon Tetras healthy and vibrant is to provide them with a balanced diet and optimal water conditions. It’s rewarding to watch their energetic, schooling behavior, and it serves as a helpful reminder of how important it is to provide a peaceful and encouraging environment for the animals that live in your aquarium.

The Red Neon Tetra is a fantastic option if you’re new to the hobby or want to add some color to your current setup. They can swiftly grow to be a treasured part of your underwater world thanks to their beauty and comparatively simple care needs.

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