Neon Tetra --- Fish

Paracheiron innensi

The neon tetra was discovered in Peru in 1936. Along with its cousin, the cardinal tetra, it is one of the most common aquarium fish. Its red and blue coat casts a pretty metallic reflection under the light.

Neon tetras live in the Amazon River region. They like quiet rivers, ponds and marshes. In the Amazon region, slowly decomposing plants bring out a dark colour in the water. In these “black waters,” as scientists call them, little can be seen 12 inches below the surface. But the bright colours of the neon tetra help these fish recognize each other. Their blue-green reflections look like neon lights. These lights seem especially strong since the tetras swim in schools.

Armed with many tiny teeth, neon tetras feed on insects that fall to the water’s surface, and on insect larvae. If no insects are available, however, they eat small plants. In captivity, they prefer small living prey; they are particularly fond of small tubifex worms. Neon tetras can reproduce in an aquarium but conditions must be just right. The temperature of the water must be maintained at about 72 degree Fahrenheit for the tetra’s to mate and lay eggs. Next, the eggs must be kept in darkness for 2 days, and few hatch. This is also  a problem in the tetra’s natural environment. And last, but not least, it is necessary to keep an eye on the eggs so that their parents do not eat them. Better yet, you should separate the eggs from the parents.

CLASS: Bony fish

ORDER: Minnows, suckers, loaches

FAMILY: Characins

LENGTH: up to 1 3/5 inches

DIET: small animals and plants

NUMBER OF EGGS: 500 to 1000

HOME: Amazon basin