Reproduction of neons in an aquarium

If you enjoy colorful aquarium fish, neons are probably already familiar to you. They are a popular choice for aquariums because of their vibrant colors and lively nature. However, did you know that raising neons in your tank can be a rewarding as well as a little difficult? You can have a flourishing tank full of these lovely fish if you know how to promote and control their reproduction.

Small tropical fish called neons live best in groups. They originate from slow-moving rivers and streams in South America. You must set up the proper conditions in your aquarium to mimic their natural habitat and encourage breeding. This calls for careful consideration of elements like lighting, temperature, and water quality.

We’ll walk you through the fundamentals of neon reproduction in this article, from setting up your tank to taking care of the eggs and fry. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a beginner, these pointers will

Aspect Details
Breeding Condition Neons prefer a well-planted tank with soft, slightly acidic water. A separate breeding tank with these conditions is ideal.
Water Temperature Maintain a temperature between 75-80°F (24-27°C) for optimal breeding.
Water pH

Natural biotope is the path to success

It goes without saying that the best possible environment must be provided for an animal in order to promote reproduction. Generally speaking, it suffices that they resemble nature as much as possible.

Fish, incidentally, exhibit their maximum potential for both beauty and health in natural biotopes.

Since it is actually very simple to get fish to reproduce, seasoned aquarium keepers have no trouble at all having their babies come to them on their own. You must form specific routines and keep ideal circumstances in order to accomplish this.

Within an aquarium fashioned after a biotope of still pools with "black water," which is very soft, dull-colored, and slightly acidic, you can see a cluster of neons "dancing" close to small-leaved plants tucked away in shadowy nooks. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a few swimming fry, which are just a tiny portion of the many children that their ravenous parents have devoured.

Ideal water conditions in a standard aquarium for neonatal breeding:

  • temperature: 24 °C;
  • acidity: 5.5 pH;
  • hardness: less than 1 °dH.

Keeping the hardness at a low level is the hardest part of recreating neon’s natural habitat. Usually, ostented water is used for this, which requires special equipment to prepare.

Sometimes a lot of young people won’t be able to get the fish, even if you put adult fish in there. After all, the majority of fry adults with mature hunting instincts have already been devoured by predators as soon as they surface.

Place a variety of decorations in a general aquarium, such as fry-snags, thickets of small-leaved plants, foliage at the bottom, etc., if you want to save as many young people as possible.

Most of the time, propagating neons in a regular aquarium is unsuccessful. To obtain a large quantity of young, healthy fish, cautious coordination with producers and spawning/growing containers are required.

Work with manufacturers

Fish health suffered greatly as a consequence of inadequately high-quality selective work. Neonates frequently have abnormalities such as underdeveloped jaws, gill covers, spine curvature, weakened immune systems, etc. d. Inbreeding is the cause of the majority of these flaws.

To obtain high-quality fry with a high survival rate, you must use producers from various breeders who have different origins. There’s a good chance that the fish you purchase in one location will be brothers and sisters.

Fish that are 12 weeks old are considered sexually mature. At this age, they typically develop a desirable color and go on sale.

Since neonatal sexual dimorphism is poorly expressed, it can be difficult to identify the sex of young fish. To enhance the probability of obtaining individuals of distinct sexes, a sizable school of fish is all that is needed. They need to have a smooth abdomen, well-developed gill covers, and a gorgeous, even exterior.

In females, an excessively swollen or lumpy abdomen may be a sign of obesity or cystic disease. These people aren’t good for reproducing.

Organizing top-notch care is necessary for potential producers in order to easily fatten up eggs and milt. In pre-spawning conditions, the most important things are live, high-protein food (such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex, etc.) and soft (less than 4 °dH) and acidic (about 5.5 pH) water.

The most obvious sexual differences are found in fish that have gained weight through sexual products:

  • females become more rounded, which is why the neon stripe on their side begins to curve;
  • males are always more slender and elongated, so this stripe is even for them.

The fish should be sorted by sex as soon as they start to get rounder and brighter, and they should be kept in separate containers for a few days. You also need to begin setting up the spawning tank at the same time.

Preparing the spawning tank

They typically use an oblong aquarium, about 75 cm long, with a thick layer of dried oak leaves (2.5 cm) and tiny beams of Java moss on the bottom as a spawning substrate. Such a lining will produce more acidic, brownish-colored water that is enhanced with tannins.

You can use oak bark or alder cones that you can buy at a pharmacy if you don’t want to deal with leaves. They are used to make a decoction that is used to make spawning water. The aquarium is filled with it until the water turns amber.

The spawning substrate needs to be covered with a separator mesh in order to keep the spawned eggs and their ravenous parents apart.

The water in the aquarium has a hardness of less than 1 ° dH. Its temperature should be kept between 24 and 26 °C, and its pH should be adjusted to the lower end, at 5.5. Water fills the container to a depth of 25 cm.

Reverse osmosis filters and distilled water are two ways to get water with such a high degree of softness, but the least expensive way is to store water during precipitation by gathering snow or rainwater.

Fish should be planted in the aquarium after a few days of it being shaded. Because they always experience a great deal of stress when moving to a new residence, neons do not always begin reproducing right away. The fish typically take a week or so to adapt, and once they do, they start to spawn every morning as soon as a few light beams enter the spawning tank. Fish that have reached adulthood should be returned to the main aquarium one week after spawning has begun.

Fish in the spawning tank are not fed in order to preserve the quality of the water. The breeders also don’t need to be fed the day before they move for spawning because they adjust to new surroundings much more easily when they aren’t hungry.

An airlift filter is added to the aquarium after the adult fish are removed. This purifies the water and creates a gentle current without suckling the young fish.

Because the eggs and larvae of neon fish are extremely sensitive to light, shading the aquarium is crucial when breeding these fish. Newspapers should be placed inside the aquarium until the little ones learn to swim. The eggs take around 36 hours to incubate, and after 3–4 days, the larvae start swimming.

For fish enthusiasts, successfully breeding neon tetras in an aquarium can be a fulfilling experience. You can create the perfect environment for these colorful fish to reproduce by doing the necessary steps and providing the right environment. Maintaining optimal water quality and controlling pH and temperature are essential for promoting spawning.

Recognizing the necessity of a well-lit, densely planted tank is essential for the successful propagation of neon tetras. By simulating their natural habitat with lots of hiding places, one can help them feel secure enough to reproduce. To keep your fish healthy and prepared for spawning, regular water changes and the upkeep of a stable environment are also crucial.

You can improve your chances of seeing the amazing process of neon tetra reproduction by being patient and taking good care of it. Savor the procedure and the stunning display of neon tetra fry as they develop and flourish in their new habitat. Cheers to many years of fishkeeping!

In an aquarium, breeding neon tetra fish can be a rewarding and difficult endeavor. You’ll need to establish the proper conditions, which include keeping the water at the ideal level, having a well-planted tank, and making sure the fish are healthy, in order to successfully reproduce these colorful fish. It’s essential to comprehend their unique requirements and behaviors in order to promote spawning and raise healthy fry.

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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