Neon Tetra
ExploreFish
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Neon Tetras are tiny, colorful fish that glow in the water! They are popular in aquariums and love to swim in schools.
Habitat: Freshwater rivers
Appearance
The Neon Tetra has a striking iridescent blue-green stripe running horizontally from its nose to its adipose fin, above a vibrant red stripe that extends from the middle of its body to its tail. Its small, slender body is mostly translucent, making these brilliant stripes stand out vividly.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCharaciformesFamilyCharacidaeGenusParacheirodon
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Wow! A group of Neon Tetras is called a 'school,' and they stay close together for safety!
Wow! In the wild, Neon Tetras often live in 'blackwater' rivers, stained dark by decaying leaves!
Wow! The shiny blue stripe on a Neon Tetra doesn't come from pigment, but from special reflective cells!
Wow! They can change the intensity of their colors, becoming duller at night or when they are stressed!
Special abilities
Ability
Glow-Line Camo
Neon Tetras have a glowing stripe that helps them blend into sun-dappled water or confuse predators in their dark jungle rivers.
Ability
Schooling Shield
Neon Tetras can swim in large groups called schools because it makes them look like one big fish to confuse predators.
Ability
Dark Sight
Neon Tetras have excellent eyesight to find tiny food and avoid danger in the dim, shaded waters of their rainforest home.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 2.5-4 cm
- Weight
- 0.001-0.002 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Swim Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 2 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
They are tiny omnivores, nibbling on small bugs, worms, and even tiny bits of plants and detritus.
Primary Foods
- Insect larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Algae
- Detritus
- Microscopic worms
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Dwarf Pike Cichlid
Crenicichla regani
A larger fish that preys on small tetras.
eats
Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
A tiny crustacean that is a common food source.
eats
Green Algae
Chlorella vulgaris
One of the algae types consumed by these fish.
eaten by
Red Shoulder Severum
Heros efasciatus
A larger cichlid that might prey on them.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Neon Tetra?
2.5-4 cm
How much does Neon Tetra weigh?
0.001-0.002 kg
How long does Neon Tetra live?
3-5 years
What does Neon Tetra eat?
They are tiny omnivores, nibbling on small bugs, worms, and even tiny bits of plants and detritus.
How fast can Neon Tetra swim?
0.5 km/h
Where is Neon Tetra usually found?
Freshwater rivers
How does Neon Tetra hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Neon Tetra go?
2 m
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