Neon tetra size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 3.5 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Acestrorhamphidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Ember tetra) to 7.5 cm (Black skirt tetra).

Neon tetra tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Neon tetra water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, hardness 1–12 °dGH. Close to what most Acestrorhamphidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Neon tetra tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 52 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black neon tetra, Glowlight tetra, and Lambchop rasbora.

FreshwaterIn the market60 coinsCommon

Neon tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

A blue and red stripe that glows in low light. Best in numbers.

The Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhamphidae. Adults grow to about 3.5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 60 cm long and water at 22–26 °C.

Size: 3.5 cm
Smallest tank: 60 cm
Temperature: 22–26 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature22–26 °C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness1–12 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 6 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres32 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres90 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres150 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres325 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres600 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres720 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along52 species

and 28 more species

Caution35 species

Crowding the same layer

Not together12 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCharaciformes
FamilyAcestrorhamphidae
GenusParacheirodon
SpeciesParacheirodon innesi
Described byMyers, 1936

In other languages

German: Neonsalmler
Spanish: Pez tetra neón
French: Neon
Russian: Голубой неон
Japanese: ネオンテトラ
Chinese: 霓虹脂鯉

Quick answers

Neon tetra size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 3.5 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Acestrorhamphidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Ember tetra) to 7.5 cm (Black skirt tetra).
Neon tetra tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Neon tetra water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, hardness 1–12 °dGH. Close to what most Acestrorhamphidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Neon tetra tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 52 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black neon tetra, Glowlight tetra, and Lambchop rasbora.
Neon tetra: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Neon tetra and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.